--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Troubled men both, he thinks, Wriothesley…" description: "\"“Troubled men both, he thinks, Wriothesley and Riche, and alike in some ways, sidling around the peripheries of their own souls, tapping at the walls: ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/hilary-mantel-440_quote_troubled-men-both-he-thinks-wriothesley_2018950.jpg" --- # Troubled men both, he thinks, Wriothesley and Riche, and… ![“Troubled men both, he thinks, Wriothesley and Riche, and alike in some ways, sidling around the peripheries of their own souls, tapping at the walls: oh, what is that hollow sound?” quote by Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/hilary-mantel-440_quote_troubled-men-both-he-thinks-wriothesley_2018950.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/hilary-mantel-440_quote_troubled-men-both-he-thinks-wriothesley_2018950.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/hilary-mantel-440_quote_troubled-men-both-he-thinks-wriothesley_2018950.jpg) > ““Troubled men both, he thinks, Wriothesley and Riche, and alike in some ways, sidling around the peripheries of their own souls, tapping at the walls: oh, what is that hollow sound?”” [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. Characters grapple with inner emptiness, seeking meaning beyond surface concerns. **In simple terms:** People feel hollow inside and search for purpose. Key Takeaway Listen to inner emptiness and seek authentic purpose. Themes identity existence inner conflict Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - creative block - relationship tension - career doubt Key Concepts psychology self‑reflection existentialism Questions to Reflect On - What does the “hollow sound” represent for you? - How can you transform inner emptiness into growth? A Different Perspective The metaphor may obscure concrete actions needed to fill the void. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hollow Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollow-sound-3646767/) [Men Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-thinks-3646766/) [Peripheries Souls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peripheries-souls-3646770/) [Thinks Wriothesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinks-wriothesley-3646768/) [Troubled Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troubled-men-3646769/) ## Related quotes > [When a book and a head collide and a hollow sound is heard, must it always have come from the book?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-book-and-a-head-collide-and-a-hollow-sound-is-heard-must-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men are meant for women and women were meant for men. Anyone who thinks else, is wrong. Adam and Eve! 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When he returns in the evening, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/the-hunter-is-among-the-most-innocent-of-men-living-in-the-moment/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [“But what would happen … I mean, what would be so awful … if they did meet up?” “Why, it would be like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/but-what-would-happen-i-mean-what-would-be-so-awful-if-they-did-meet/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [When you have committed enough words to paper, you feel you have a spine stiff enough to stand up in the wind. But when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/when-you-have-committed-enough-words-to-paper-you-feel-you-have-a/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [At New Year's he had given Anne a present of silver forks with handles of rock crystal. 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We shall leave our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mantel/mirabeau-if-you-have-been-told-to-clear-us-from-this-hall-you-must/) [Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mantel/) > [“Cardinal Campeggio has implored Katherine to bow to the king's will, accept that her marriage is invalid and retire to a convent. 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