In "Wolf Hall," Hilary Mantel explores the themes of corruption and isolation through the character's reflections on the world around them. The protagonist contemplates how external factors, such as the oppressive weather, can influence one's thoughts and feelings. This sense of being weighed down leads to a desire to retreat inward, protecting one’s inner self like a fragile flame. The quote illustrates the struggle between external influences and internal preservation. The idea of shrinking to a "little point of light" symbolizes the wish to safeguard one’s individuality amidst a corrupting world. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and the importance of maintaining one’s essence despite the pressures from the environment.

In "Wolf Hall," Hilary Mantel explores the themes of corruption and isolation through the character's reflections on the world around them. The protagonist contemplates how external factors, such as the oppressive weather, can influence one's thoughts and feelings. This sense of being weighed down leads to a desire to retreat inward, protecting one’s inner self like a fragile flame.

The quote illustrates the struggle between external influences and internal preservation. The idea of shrinking to a "little point of light" symbolizes the wish to safeguard one’s individuality amidst a corrupting world. It conveys a sense of vulnerability and the importance of maintaining one’s essence despite the pressures from the environment.