Shadow of Persephone Quotes

“Most historical fictions about her show Catherine as indulging in adultery, when she was only accused of intent. Most historical fictions of Anne Boleyn show her as innocent when she was charged with adultery. It is interesting to note this and I think it has a great deal more to do with Catherine’s early life, and the supposition that because she had relationships, consensual or otherwise, before marriage, that she must have committed adultery. Yet her accusers at the time could find no evidence she had. It is interesting therefore that we view her in such a light. Perhaps it says more about our prejudices towards women than we think. Women who have multiple partners are still shamed for it. Men do not suffer the same censure; it is often seen as a fine thing for a man to have had a lot of partners. Personally, I don’t think anyone should be shamed for their sexual choices, as long as everything is consensual. But I think our treatment of the memory of Catherine Howard has a great deal to do with these prejudices. Catherine Howard is a woman who suffers from historical “slut-shaming”. It is about time that ended.”
― G. Lawrence, Shadow of Persephone

“Women can be the best and worst of friends to other women. At worst, they can be spiteful, vicious and cruel, bending your soul into a twist of misery. Not permitted to fight as men do, out in the open and with weapons, they fight with word and thought, striking enemies with cunning, hitting subtly, often without warning. And at their best, women are remarkable; supportive, warm, motherly, sisterly and friendly by turns, people who would throw themselves before death to protect someone they loved. Men will say they do the same in war, but on a battlefield men fight for themselves first. Wars are won by the desperation of men clinging to life. Only the few and courageous fight truly for friends and brothers. But every person on the earth under God has had a woman do it for them. Every mother risks death for her children.”
― G. Lawrence, Shadow of Persephone

“If there is one thing I wish I could teach young women and always find myself unable to, it is to not allow happiness to rest on a man, any man, even their husband. I know you will not listen, for your ears are full of him, like your eyes. You cannot see past him, but you should, for when you come to live as long as me you will see it so clear and wish you had not wasted your time, wondering on a man and if he loves you.” “What will I see, my lady?” I asked. “You will see happiness is not reliant on others, but only on the self,” she said. “Granted, it is harder when we are young. We seem so sure of ourselves but inside we are a tumbling turmoil of insecurity and doubt. But when you learn, Catherine, to rely only on yourself to provide happiness, it all gets so much easier. Then, we are not alone, even when no one is around. We are in company with ourselves, and content. We do not need someone to praise us, for we can see honestly all our flaws and virtues. We can work on them, but we do not censure ourselves anymore. That is when a woman becomes master of her own self, even if she is a slave; when she can be in company with herself, content in her own soul.”
― G. Lawrence, Shadow of Persephone