"Rude contact with facts chased my visions and dreams quickly away, and in their stead I beheld the horrors, the corruption, the evils and hypocrisy of society, and as I stood among them, a young wife, a great wail of agony went out from my soul"

Victoria Woodhull's quote records a poignant minute of disillusionment and awakening. At its core, this reflection showcases the stark contrast between the idealism of youth and the extreme realities of life, especially in the socio-political context of Woodhull's time in the 19th century.

Woodhull begins by acknowledging the power of "impolite contact with truths". This expression suggests a disconcerting confrontation with the unembellished truth, a truth that disrupts her previous beliefs. The word "disrespectful" implies an unexpected, possibly even extreme, come across with truth, suggesting that her former visions and dreams were possibly innocent or naive.

These dreams are "chased after ... away", communicating a sense of loss or desertion. Dreams here might represent her youthful hopes, goals, and idealistic views of society and her location in it. As these dreams dissipate, they are replaced by a grim realization of the world's real state. Woodhull lists "horrors, the corruption, the evils and hypocrisy", stressing not just one however numerous layers of social flaws. This build-up of unfavorable descriptors highlights her extensive dissatisfaction and possibly even despair at the systemic problems she observes.

When Woodhull positions herself as "a young other half" in the middle of these revelations, it includes a personal dimension to the social critique. The function of a young better half in the 19th century often involved submission, restricted rights, and social invisibility. Therefore, her disillusionment is not just political but deeply individual. The "excellent wail of misery" represents her internal struggle and psychological turmoil at belonging to a society that does not line up with her values or hopes.

Overall, Woodhull's reflection eloquently catches the discomfort of coming to terms with societal imperfections and the individual cost of such an awakening. It highlights the tension between private aspirations and social reality, a theme that resonates widely throughout different times and cultures.