How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Gulbadan glances in the direction of her distant home. "And until he's ready we will deceive him, just as Mother deceived us?"
"She only deceived you, child, because she loves you."
"But Mother never lies," Rurayya says.
"You'd lie, Rurayya, to protect your children. And so would you, Gulbadan. You'd tell a thousand lies, tell them each and every day for however long you needed to. And then, one morning, a morning much like this, you would tell the truth." (Part I. 43-46)
Much like changing dirty diapers, sometimes lying is just one of those messy parts of parenthood. It might stink, but you still have to do it for the good of your children.
Quote #2
"We women must be cautious," she advised, stopping at a stand of lemons. She squeezed a few. "Dealing with men is like juggling hot coals. They're fairly harmless if you take precautions, but by Allah, they can burn you if you don't pay attention."
"Have you ever juggled coals?"
"No, but I juggle men every day. And I'm sure coals would be much less frightening." (2.30-32)
And thus begins Jahanara's education as a master manipulator. Don't you think it must be exhausting to think of men as things that need to be constantly juggled? On the other hand, when has a woman's life not been exhausting, are we right?
Quote #3
Equipped with confidence, I was ready to speak with nobles who Mother claimed were attracted to me. Most men thought my youth and sex made me as threatening as a toothless cobra. They grew gallant when I pretended bashfulness, told me secrets when I prepared to walk away. As the Emperor, Father could have controlled these men in any manner he wished, but it seemed he'd rather sweeten them with honey than subdue them with his fist. And so I wooed them. (3.5)
Ew. Yeah. We know. Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. It's not like there were a ton of options for a young woman, noble or common, back in the 1600s. But this passage made us feel a little dirty, even so.