In Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety," there is a profound fear encapsulated in a character's secret anxiety about the future. The character worries that the baby, once grown, might one day have the ability to articulate thoughts and judgments. This reflects a deep concern about how one's actions might be scrutinized or critiqued by those closest to them. The quote reveals a tension between vulnerability and the harsh realities of human relationships. The fear that the child could confront him with harsh words exposes the underlying insecurities and apprehensions about parental responsibilities and the potential for regret in one's choices.

In Hilary Mantel's "A Place of Greater Safety," there is a profound fear encapsulated in a character's secret anxiety about the future. The character worries that the baby, once grown, might one day have the ability to articulate thoughts and judgments. This reflects a deep concern about how one's actions might be scrutinized or critiqued by those closest to them.

The quote reveals a tension between vulnerability and the harsh realities of human relationships. The fear that the child could confront him with harsh words exposes the underlying insecurities and apprehensions about parental responsibilities and the potential for regret in one's choices.