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Fate Quote by Philippa Gregory

“The two women look at each other and in both faces there is a glimpse of the girls that they were. A little smile warms Margaret’s face and Jacquetta’s eyes are filled with love. It is as if the years are no more than the mists of Barnet or the snows at Towton: they are gone, it is hard to believe…” quote by Philippa Gregory
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““The two women look at each other and in both faces there is a glimpse of the girls that they were. A little smile warms Margaret’s face and Jacquetta’s eyes are filled with love. It is as if the years are no more than the mists of Barnet or the snows at Towton: they are gone, it is hard to believe they were ever there. Margaret puts out her hand, not to touch her friend but to make a gesture, a secret shared gesture, and, as we watch, Jacquetta mirrors the movement. Eyes fixed on each other they both raise their index finger and trace a circle in the air – that’s all they do. Then they smile to each other as if life itself is a joke, a jest that means nothing and a wise woman can laugh at it; then, without a word, Margaret passes silently into the darkness of the tower. "What was that?" Isabel exclaims. "It was the sign for the wheel of fortune," I whisper. ‘The wheel of fortune which put Margaret of Anjou on the throne of England, heiress to the kingdoms of Europe, and then threw her down to this. Jacquetta warned her of this long ago – they knew. The two of them knew long ago that fortune throws you up to greatness and down to disaster and all you can do is endure.””

Philippa Gregory

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory, 2001

The passage reflects on how women see their younger selves in each other, sharing secret gestures that symbolize fate’s rise and fall, and the endurance required by destiny.

In simple terms: Women recognize their past selves and share secret signs about fate.

Key Takeaway

Embrace shared understanding of life’s ups and downs.

Themes

identity fate friendship

Mood

nostalgic thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family gatherings
  • historical drama
  • personal reflection
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

mirror imagery historical destiny

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the circle gesture symbolize for you?
  • How does shared memory affect coping with fate?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may oversimplify complex historical events.

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