"Why did he get to study interesting things all day, like science and Latin and someone called Pythagoras, while she was supposed to be content sticking needles through a canvas?"
This quote reflects Violet's deep-seated frustration and discontent with the gender roles and societal expectations imposed on her during the 1940s. In this context, Violet expresses her resentment towards her brother, Graham who is allowed to engage in intellectually stimulating pursuits such as studying science, Latin, and the works of Pythagoras. The comparison with her own prescribed activities, described as being confined to "sticking needles through a canvas," underscores the limited and mundane nature of the tasks expected of her as a woman. Violet's questioning of why she is expected to be content with such uninspiring activities suggests a longing for intellectual stimulation and a desire to break free from the societal norms that confine her to traditional feminine roles.
"Sight is a funny thing,’ my mother used to say. ‘Sometimes it shows us what is before our eyes. But sometimes it shows us what has already happened, or will yet come to pass."
This quote carries a nuanced perspective on perception and foresight. The mother seems to suggest that sight can serve as a conduit for glimpsing past events or foreseeing future occurrences. This statement takes on significance in the narrative as the protagonist, Altha, reflects on her experiences during the May Day Eve festival and the vision she had of Grace, possibly pregnant and in distress. The quote foreshadows the notion that Altha's sight may be a form of precognition, allowing her to witness events before they unfold or perceive hidden truths that are not immediately apparent. It adds an element of mysticism to the story and sets the stage for Altha's journey.
"Though death awaits us all, along with reunification with our Father in Heaven, if we have lived well."
In this quote, Reverend Goode reflects on the inevitability of death and the belief in an afterlife, emphasizing the Christian concept of reunification with God in Heaven. The context suggests that he is addressing the court during the trial of Altha, the accused woman suspected of witchcraft and involvement in John Milburn's death. The quote serves to remind the audience of the broader theological perspective, subtly shaping their understanding of the events in question. Reverend Goode's words may also imply a sense of divine judgment, hinting that those who have lived virtuously will find solace in the afterlife while the accused may be viewed through a lens of suspicion if their actions are perceived as contrary to Christian virtues.
"Tears froze on my cheeks as I watched him haul her into the byre, as if she were no better than a piece of waste. It had been one thing to hear her speak of his rough treatment of her. It was quite another to see it. Fury flowed through my blood like fire."
In this quote, the narrator recounts a deeply distressing and transformative moment as they observe a cruel act of mistreatment. The freezing tears on the narrator's cheeks vividly convey the emotional intensity of the scene. The visceral impact of witnessing John hauling Grace into the byre, treating her "as if she were no better than a piece of waste," conveys a stark dehumanization and brutality. The narrator's reflection on the contrast between hearing about such treatment and witnessing it underscores the profound emotional and psychological toll of the experience.
