---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know she’s rather plain, but every girl…"
description: "\"“I know she’s rather plain, but every girl has a right to conceal that fact from people who haven’t seen her.”\" — Hilary Mantel"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/hilary-mantel-440_manners_i-know-she-s-rather-plain-but-every-girl_1325580.jpg"
---

#  I know she’s rather plain, but every girl has a right to…

![“I know she’s rather plain, but every girl has a right to conceal that fact from people who haven’t seen her.” quote by Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/hilary-mantel-440_manners_i-know-she-s-rather-plain-but-every-girl_1325580.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/hilary-mantel-440_manners_i-know-she-s-rather-plain-but-every-girl_1325580.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/hilary-mantel-440_manners_i-know-she-s-rather-plain-but-every-girl_1325580.jpg)

> ““I know she’s rather plain, but every girl has a right to conceal that fact from people who haven’t seen her.””

[Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

It suggests that women may hide their true selves from those who haven't truly seen them, implying a protective concealment.

**In simple terms:** Women may conceal themselves from strangers.

Key Takeaway

Encourage authentic connections.

Themes

identity privacy gender dynamics

Mood

thoughtful empathetic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- dating
- workplace interactions
- literary analysis

Key Concepts

self‑presentation social perception

Questions to Reflect On

- When is concealment protective?
- How can you foster genuine understanding?

A Different Perspective

It may reinforce stereotypes about women's secrecy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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## More by Hilary Mantel

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> [We reveal our joys and successes, we conceal our pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-reveal-our-joys-and-successes-we-conceal-our-pain/)

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[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

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[Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/)

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