Children Quote by Philippa Gregory
““I am old enough to be married twice. I am old enough to be bedded without tenderness or consideration. I am old enough to face death in the confinement room and be told that my own mother--my own mother--has commanded them to save the child and not me! I think I am a woman now. I have a babe in arms, and I have been married and widowed and now bethrothed again. I am like a draper's parcel to be sent about like cloth and cut to the pattern that people wish. My mother told me that my father died by his own hand and that we are an unlucky family. I think I am a woman now! I am treated as a woman grown when it suits you all, you can hardly make me a child again.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, 2001
The speaker reflects on the loss and objectification of women, feeling reduced to a role that serves others' needs and expectations.
In simple terms: Women are seen as objects, not individuals.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and assert personal agency.
Themes
gender
identity
oppression
family
death
Mood
anguished
defiant
reflective
Type
literary
personal
social
When to use this quote
- marriage
- widowhood
- motherhood
- healthcare
- legal rights
Key Concepts
patriarchy
objectification
survival
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society shape a woman's identity?
- What can be done to restore agency?
A Different Perspective
Societal norms often silence women's voices and limit choices.
