Habits Quote by Susanna Clarke
““Even the Raven King - who was not a fairy, but an Englishman - had a somewhat regrettable habit of abducting men and women and taking them to live with him in his castle in the Other Lands. Now, had you and I the power to seize by magic any human being that took our fancy and the power to keep that person by our side through all eternity, and had we all the world to chuse from, then I dare say our choice might fall on someone a little more captivating than a member of the Learned Society of York Magicians, but this comforting thought did not occur to the gentlemen inside York Cathedral””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, 2004
The passage imagines a world where magical power could be used to abduct and keep a lover forever, highlighting the temptation of absolute control over others.
In simple terms: Powerful magic could trap a lover forever.
Key Takeaway
Beware the allure of controlling others.
Themes
power
control
love
temptation
ethics
Mood
cautionary
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtship
- political intrigue
- personal desire
- magical societies
Key Concepts
magical realism
consent
immortality
Questions to Reflect On
- Is love genuine if forced?
- What moral costs arise from absolute control?
A Different Perspective
Such power would erode freedom and humanity.
