In Robert Jordan's "The Eye of the World," the protagonist expresses a deep emotional conflict surrounding love and loss. He acknowledges the inevitability of a future where the woman he loves chooses someone else, which fills him with resentment. Despite this bitterness, he recognizes the importance of her happiness and is willing to love her chosen partner if he brings her joy, reflecting the complexities of love and sacrifice.

The quote also highlights the harsh realities of life and the burdens of grief. The speaker poignantly conveys that no woman should have to confront the certainty of sorrow symbolized by a widow's mourning attire, especially not the one he cherishes. This sentiment emphasizes the desire for love to exist without the shadow of despair, underscoring the profound emotional stakes involved in their intertwined fates.