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61 pages 2 hours read

A Column of Fire

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Important Quotes

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“I did it for my country, which is dear to me; for my sovereign, whom I serve; and for something else, a principle, the belief that a person has the right to make up his own mind about God.”


(Prologue, Page 1)

This quote features Ned’s explanation regarding the men he hunted and the deaths he caused over the course of his career. While he notes the political and patriotic elements of these acts, he also asserts that his commitment to religious freedom is the most important motivating force in his life. In his mind, his actions—even those involving deception and death—are justified by a universal moral purpose.

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“We shouldn’t be talking of politics. Women ought to leave such matters to their husbands.”


(Part 1, Chapter 1, Page 18)

Margery attempts to introduce a topic in which Bart might be interested: Queen Mary and the war with France. In doing so, she subtly challenges the traditional notion that women should be excluded from political discussions. However, this response from Bart reinforces the gender norms of the era even as it highlights the extreme inequalities that beset their relationship. His response also implicitly dismisses the queen herself, as he places more importance on the male figure of King Felipe.

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“If Rollo was fond of his sister, it was no more than the emotion he might have felt toward a horse: he might like it, but he would sell or trade it if necessary.”


(Part 1, Chapter 5, Page 134)

This quote encapsulates Rollo's pragmatic and utilitarian view of relationships. Personal connections, even within his own family, are always subject to his cost-benefit analysis. The passage therefore provides insight into Rollo's understanding of loyalty and foreshadows his increasingly egregious conduct as the novel progresses. For him, loyalty is transactional at best, and relationships are only as good as the advantages he can gain by maintaining them. He therefore uses interpersonal connections to serve specific purposes rather than nurturing them for their own sake.

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“As they all passed out of the sunshine into the cold gloom of the enormous church, she reflected that royal children enjoyed every good thing in life, except freedom.”


(Part 1, Chapter 6, Page 171)

The contrast between the "sunshine" outside and the "cold gloom" inside serves as a metaphor for the duality within the lives of Mary and Francis. While they may bask in external splendors and luxuries, they are also subject to the confinement and lack of freedom inherent in their positions.

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“When a man is certain that he knows God’s will, and is resolved to do it regardless of the cost, he is the most dangerous person in the world.”


(Part 1, Chapter 7, Page 200)

The quote highlights the novel’s theme of religious extremism and intolerance, and the inherent risks associated with an absolute, unyielding conviction in one's interpretation of divine guidance. An environment where individuals adamantly believe that they are acting upon God's will denies the necessary space for healthy dialogue and therefore poses a considerable risk to society.

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“What we did in that momentous year of 1558 caused political strife, revolt, civil war, and invasion. There were times, in later years, when in the depths of despair I would wonder whether it had been worth it. The simple idea that people should be allowed to worship as they wished caused more suffering than the ten plagues of Egypt.”


(Part 1, Chapter 8, Page 248)

Ned reflects on the beginning of Queen Elizabeth’s reign and the complications that arose because of the ideal of religious tolerance. Here, his words emphasize the inherent tension between idealistic aspirations and the harsh realities of political and social consequences.

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“Earlier this year the accursed Queen Elizabeth of England imposed Protestantism on her wretched subjects, who are now deprived of the consolation of the sacraments. Tolerance is spreading. This is the horrible truth.”


(Part 2, Chapter 9, Page 273)

From Moineau's standpoint, the idea of tolerance itself is abhorrent. This sentiment reflects a mindset prevalent in the Catholic characters of the novel, who often reject the idea of coexistence with those of differing beliefs. The extreme hyperbole that Follett employs also emphasizes the polarizing effects of these two different belief systems.

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“She longed for a man to hold at night, but not at the price of her liberty. Most men treated their wives like children, the only difference being that women could work harder. Perhaps there were men somewhere who did not regard wives as property, but she had never met one.”


(Part 2, Chapter 11, Page 322)

Sylvie's observation underscores a broader societal issue of the time, for traditional gender roles confined women to subordinate positions within marital relationships. However, Ned later emerges as someone who aligns with Sylvie's criteria for an ideal partner, and their relationship reflects a more egalitarian dynamic that is uncommon for the time.

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“Changing your beliefs with every change of monarch was called ‘policy,’ and people who did it were ‘politicians.’”


(Part 2, Chapter 13, Page 422)

In this quote, Rollo expresses disdain for Dean Luke, who renounces his Catholicism and is made a bishop by Queen Elizabeth. Rollo's perspective reflects a staunch, if hypocritical, disdain for individuals he perceives as being opportunistic and unprincipled. His disapproval also contributes to the broader exploration of the clash between religious idealism and political pragmatism.

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“A secret was a weapon. But more than that, the possession of knowledge that others did not share always filled Rollo with elation. He could hug it to himself at night and feel powerful.”


(Part 2, Chapter 13, Page 424)

This quote displays Rollo’s pragmatic view of the world, where knowledge can be leveraged for personal gain, influence, or protection. It also shows his inherent need to view himself as superior to those around him for his own comfort. Rollo is only happy when he is fully in control.

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“I may yet go through anguish in hell for my sin. But if I had to live that time again I would do the same, to end Margery’s ordeal. I preferred to suffer myself than to know that her agony continued. Her well-being was more important to me than my own. I have learned, during the course of a long life, that that is the meaning of love.”


(Part 2, Chapter 13, Page 446)

Ned’s willingness to endure the painful knowledge that an innocent person died for the sake of Margery's well-being underscores the depth and nature of his attachment to her. Throughout their lives, his love for her is simultaneously selfish and selfless.

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“Elizabeth’s true attitude was probably that of someone who hears two drunks fighting in the street at night: it did not matter who won so long as neither tried to get into the house.”


(Part 3, Chapter 15, Page 473)

In this passage, Alison articulates Queen Elizabeth's position on the political turmoil in Scotland, specifically the overthrow and imprisonment of Mary Stuart in Loch Leven. By likening these developments to a drunken brawl taking place outside, she suggests that Elizabeth perceives the events as potentially disruptive, yet uninteresting so long as the fighting does not spill over the border to England.

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“Her foreboding about the effects of the papal bull had turned out to be tragically accurate. Puritans could now gleefully point to Catholics as a danger to national security. Intolerance had gained a pretext.”


(Part 3, Chapter 16, Page 523)

This encapsulates the broader theme of Religious Tolerance and Intolerance. By excommunicating Queen Elizabeth, the Pope renders all English Catholics traitors by default. This decision demonstrates the manipulation of religious and political events to fuel intolerance and justify discriminatory actions.

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“Pierre nodded and walked away. It was better to be feared than to be loved.”


(Part 3, Chapter 19, Page 591)

This quote reflects a sentiment often associated with the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli. In The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the pragmatic realities of leadership and the choices that rulers must make to maintain power and control. The work is notoriously callous and cynical in its approach, and in this passage, Pierre’s outlook is worded in such a way as to invoke Machiavelli’s observation and align with his sentiment. However, this approach will ultimately dooms Pierre to betrayal and death.

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“She had a sacred mission, and I could not take that away from her. If she carried on long enough, one day of course she would be caught. And then she would die, I knew. It was her destiny.”


(Part 3, Chapter 20, Page 634)

Ned reflects on Sylvie’s dedication to the Protestant cause above all other things, and he recognizes that she will hold true to her beliefs even to the point of martyrdom. Her willingness to forge ahead despite foreseeable dangers aligns with the novel's exploration of characters who make personal sacrifices for religious and political ideals. It also serves to foreshadow her ultimate fate at Rollo’s hands following their confrontation on the cathedral roof.

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“In Paris the citizens had slaughtered defenseless women and children in the thousands. How could God permit it? And then, to make it worse, the Pope had sent a letter of congratulation to the king of France. That could not be God’s will. Hard though it was to believe, the Pope had done wrong.”


(Part 3, Chapter 21, Page 639)

This quote shows the early stages of Margery’s shaken faith. When she questions how God could permit the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, this internal crisis is an example of the classic theological dilemma known as “the problem of evil.” Of greater importance, however, is her questioning of the moral authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church's leadership.

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“There are no saints in politics. But imperfect people can still change the world for the better.”


(Part 4, Chapter 22, Page 654)

Ned’s words tie into the larger theme of Idealism and the Realities of Politics. Faced with the reality of the many compromises he has made—and the deaths he has caused—he consoles himself by asserting his belief that no one person is ever wholly without fault, but that progress and positive change can emerge through the collective actions of individuals who are committed to making a difference.

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“He was twelve years old, and he sought ringing certainties. He would have to learn slowly, like everyone else.”


(Part 4, Chapter 22, Page 655)

This quote is a reflection on the cyclical nature of personal growth and maturation and draws a parallel between Roger's current mindset and Ned's own journey from idealism to a more nuanced understanding of the world. With the wry tone of this passage, Ned acknowledges that the evolution of one's perspective and the quest for wisdom is a shared human experience.

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“In order to defeat them I have become like them.”


(Part 4, Chapter 24, Page 731)

In his quest to counter the actions of the traitors he fights, such as Rollo, Ned acknowledges that he has had to adopt their strategies, tactics, and behaviors. This includes the threat of torture toward Gifford to convince him to betray the Catholic plot. As a spy, he learns that the line between right and wrong becomes blurred, and the ethical boundaries he once adhered to have been compromised in the service of a greater cause.

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“As they ate, in the dining room over the shop, he told her about Babington’s letter and Mary’s response. He had no secrets from Sylvie: they were spies together.”


(Part 4, Chapter 24, Page 735)

This quote highlights the shared purpose of Ned and Sylvie’s dynamic, which contrasts with Ned’s relationship with Margery. For Sylvie and Ned, there is a transparency and mutual trust in every aspect of their lives, including their clandestine work. Margery, however, continues to keep secrets from Ned even toward the end of the novel.

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“The dead live on in our imaginations. I think that’s the true meaning of ghosts. Sylvie was gone from this earth, but I saw her every day in my mind.”


(Part 4, Chapter 27, Page 834)

Sylvie continues to exist for Ned as a ghost that lingers in his mind. He implies that the essence of a person, their impact, and the memories they leave behind are more significant than any supernatural aspects commonly associated with the concept of ghosts. This more realistic version of a haunting comes from the indelible mark that Sylvie has left on Ned, who must still contend with the world of the living.

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“He considered what he was weeping for. It was partly for Elizabeth’s idealism, which had also been his own. He grieved because those ideals had been so grubbily compromised, over the years, by the demands of everyday politics.”


(Part 5, Chapter 28, Page 845)

Ned's grief after Elizabeth’s passing is not just for her for her ideals, but for the transformation of these ideals in the crucible of political necessity. He speaks of the pragmatic choices, ethical dilemmas, and moral compromises that they had to face over the years. The passage also reflects the emotional toll he feels upon witnessing the erosion of these principles.

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“Margery had always known this terrible day would come. She had managed to forget the fact, even for years at a time, and she had been happy, but in her heart she had realized there would be a reckoning.”


(Part 5, Chapter 29, Page 878)

This quote speaks to Margery’s tendency throughout the novel to brush off the larger issues as an attempt to remain content with her life and her faith. She is able to find temporary solace in this forgetfulness, but her conflict throughout the novel is always destined to lead to this confrontation with Ned, and she finally becomes aware of this fact.

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“Then, at last, she felt him squeeze her fingers, gently but firmly; and she knew it was going to be all right.”


(Part 5, Chapter 30, Page 903)

This is the moment of resolution in the character arc of Ned and Margery. With Rollo arrested and Margery pardoned, they finally have no more secrets or obstacles standing between them and their shared peace. Despite their many conflicts over the years, they are at liberty to pursue a new existence that is relatively free of the political divisions they have experienced all their lives.

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“He and his Puritan friends stubbornly disagreed with the English church on numerous points of Doctrine, and King James was as intolerant of them as he was of Catholics.”


(Epilogue, Page 907)

This quote implies that despite a lifetime of work on Ned’s part, the fight for religious tolerance is ongoing. The mention of the Puritans' disagreement with the Church of England shows that the impetus for religious conflict is not limited to Catholic-Protestant dynamics. Instead, it extends to internal divisions within the Protestant community, as seen with the Puritans.

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