Love Quotes in The Red Tent

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"For that night alone, I loved Jacob." (1.3.12)

It's Bilhah speaking here. She talks about how Jacob's tenderness toward her caused her to fall in love with him, even though it was just for that night.

Quote #2

I was ashamed of my heart's coldness, for I knew that Bilhah would have cried to see Ruti lying here, and that Leah would pour ashes on her own hair when she learned what had happened. (2.2.59)

Dinah finds it hard not to feel saddened by Ruti's death. It was hard for her to love Ruti, yet she feels shame for not feeling any emotions. We all have these kinds of moments—though we know we should cry, we just can't. It's normal.

Quote #3

I never learned to love my grandmother. I could not forget or forgive what she had done to Tabea. Nevertheless, the day came when I honored her. (2.5.87)

Notice how Dinah talks about how she never "learned" to love her grandmother. That's an odd thing to say—usually love isn't something learned; it's something felt.