Title The phrase "excellent women" appears frequently throughout the novel, and is often used by men in reference to the kind of women who perform small but meaningful duties in the service of churches and voluntary organisations and are taken for granted. The phrase first appears in Pym's early unpublished novel Civil to Strangers and is taken from Jane Austen's novel Sanditon.
titlE the phraSE "eXcEllENt WOmen" ApPeARs FreQuentLy ThrOugHout the novEl, aND Is oFtEN used by mEn IN refEREncE to The kinD of women wHo peRform smalL But meaniNgful DuTieS in the serviCe of cHurcheS AnD voluNtARy organisatioNs And aRe taKen for gRanTEd. the PhrASE FiRSt appeArs IN pym's eArly UnpubLIShED novel CiVil to StRAngers And is Taken from janE austeN's Novel sandiToN.