Gaze Quote by Hilary Mantel
““Sion calls Anne an eel, he calls her a slippery dipper from the slime, and he remembers what the cardinal had called her: my serpentine enemy. Sion says, she goes to it with her brother; he says, what, her brother George? ‘Any brother she's got. Those kind keep it in the family. They do filthy French tricks, like –’ ‘Can you keep your voice down?’ He looks around, as if spies might be swimming by the boat. ‘– and that's how she trusts herself she don't give in to Henry, because if she lets him do it and she gets a boy he's, thanks very much, now clear off, girl – so she's oh, Your Highness, I never could allow – because she knows that very night her brother's inside her, licking her up to the lungs, and then he's, excuse me, sister, what shall I do with this big package – she says, oh,don't distress yourself, my lord brother, shove it up the back entry, it'll come to no harm there.””
About This Quote
A chaotic, metaphor‑laden monologue exposing familial betrayal and sexual tension.
In simple terms: Familial betrayal and sexual tension.
Key Takeaway
Power dynamics warp intimacy.
Themes
betrayal
family
sexual tension
power
identity
Mood
dark
intense
Type
literary
dramatic
When to use this quote
- dramatic literature analysis
- theatrical performance
- psychological study
Key Concepts
family secrets
sexual politics
Practical Applications
- creative writing
- character study
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language reveal power imbalances?
- What role does metaphor play in exposing desire?
