As I am a woman, I am the means by which sin enters this world. I am the devil's gateway, the cursed ingress. I am the means by which Satan attacks the man, whom he was not bold enough to attack, except through me. Well, that is their view of the situation. My view is that there are too many priests with scant learning and smaller occupation. And I wish the Pope and the Emperor and all Spaniards were in the sea and drowned.
The quote expresses a woman's frustration with how blame for sin is often placed on women. She feels labeled as the "devil's gateway" and believes this perception allows men to escape accountability. Her words reflect a deeper commentary on gender roles and the patriarchal narratives that have historically marginalized women's identities and contributions. Rather than accept this view, she critiques the lack of knowledge and depth among religious leaders, suggesting that their ignorance perpetuates misguided beliefs.
Additionally, her disdain extends toward the religious and political figures of her time, highlighting a desire for change. The hyperbolic wish for their demise indicates a profound dissatisfaction with the status quo and an urgency for reform. Through this quote, the author, Hilary Mantel, illustrates a complex character grappling with her position in a society that demonizes her while she seeks to assert her own truth and challenge conventional expectations.
