Like for like Quotes on Fate Flashcards
“What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn’t come every day.” - “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
This quote from “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” highlights the theme of chance and opportunity in life. Tess’s life is shaped by a series of fateful events, such as her family’s financial hardship, her encounter with Alec d’Urberville, and her ill-fated relationship with Angel Clare. This quote suggests that fate can be seen as a series of opportunities or challenges that one must embrace or overcome, rather than as a pre-determined or inevitable outcome.
“A man’s heart is a wretched, wretched thing, Mariam. It isn’t like a mother’s womb. It won’t bleed, it won’t stretch to make room for you.” - “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
This quote from “A Thousand Splendid Suns” highlights the theme of powerlessness and vulnerability in the face of fate. Mariam’s life is shaped by a series of external factors, such as her father’s abandonment, her arranged marriage to Rasheed, and the political turmoil of Afghanistan. This quote suggests that fate can be seen as a cruel and indifferent force that can crush one’s hopes and dreams, especially if one is a woman.
“It was to be.” - “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
This short and simple phrase from “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” encapsulates the theme of fatalism and inevitability in the novel. Tess’s life is marked by a sense of pre-destination or inescapable fate, which is often determined by social norms, gender roles, and economic factors beyond her control. This quote suggests that fate can be seen as a force that operates beyond human agency or choice, and that some events are simply meant to be.
“In her own way, Mariam was as intractable as her mother. She would never leave her love behind, not entirely.” - “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
This quote from “A Thousand Splendid Suns” highlights the theme of resilience and perseverance in the face of fate. Mariam’s life is marked by a series of losses and hardships, including the loss of her mother, the abuse by her husband, and the separation from her children. This quote suggests that fate can be seen as a test of one’s inner strength and determination, and that some bonds of love and loyalty can never be broken, even in the face of adversity.
“Justice was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Aeschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess.” - “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
This quote from “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” highlights the theme of divine intervention and fatalism in the novel. The reference to the President of the Immortals suggests a belief in a higher power that governs the course of human life and fate. This quote also suggests that Tess’s tragic fate was pre-ordained and inevitable, and that justice was ultimately served through her suffering and sacrifice.
“I know you’re still young, but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot.” - “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
This quote from “A Thousand Splendid Suns” highlights the theme of agency and choice in the face of fate. Laila’s father’s advice to prioritize education over marriage suggests that fate is not simply a matter of external forces or circumstances, but also a matter of personal choices and decisions. This quote also suggests that education can be a form of empowerment and resistance against the constraints of fate and society.
“I am not an angel,” he repeated, “and I will not be one till I die - I will be myself.” - “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”
This quote from “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” highlights the theme of identity and self-determination in the face of fate. Angel Clare’s refusal to conform to societal expectations or to idealize himself as an angel suggests that fate is not a matter of external forces alone, but also a matter of individual agency and self-awareness. This quote also suggests that authenticity and self-expression can be a way of asserting one’s humanity and dignity in the face of fate and adversity.
“There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood.” - “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
This quote from “A Thousand Splendid Suns” highlights the theme of loss and trauma in the face of fate. The reference to the scarcity of childhood in Afghanistan suggests that fate can deprive people of basic human experiences and rights, such as safety, joy, and innocence. This quote also suggests that fate can have a generational impact, and that the trauma of one generation can be passed down to the next.
