The Portrait of a Lady Pride Quotes Page 4
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #10 "You won’t confess that you’ve made a mistake. You’re too proud." |
Henrietta recognizes what’s holding Isabel to Osmond, even if Isabel doesn’t herself – it’s her pride. Having committed to her marriage, she is too ashamed to admit that she was in the wrong, and Isabel is all too aware of the grim fact that you can never unmake a mistake, no matter how hard you try.
| Quote #11 "You are nearer to me than any human creature, and I'm nearer to you. It may be a disagreeable proximity; it's one, at any rate, of our own deliberate making. You don't like to be reminded of that, I know; but I'm perfectly willing, because – because – " And he paused a moment, looking as if he had something to say which would be very much to the point. "Because I think we should accept the consequences of our actions, and what I value most in life is the honour of a thing!" (51.28) |
Osmond turns Isabel’s own values against her by playing the pride card. He knows that by provoking her sense of honor and responsibility, he will keep her in thrall.
