Jealousy Quotes in The Red Tent

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

But Leah was not jealous in the way of silly girls in love songs, who die of longing. (1.2.62)

Leah might have been jealous of Rachel's beauty, but she never has the angsty teenager kind of jealousy. Leah means business, so her jealousy is usually rooted in something pretty personal.

Quote #5

"I wandered in and out of the tent, eaten up by jealousy … my envy waned and I was horrified by the pain I saw on Leah, the strong one, the invincible ox who was on the ground trembling and wide-eyed." (1.2.73)

Here we see how jealousy can trump Rachel's her love for her sister. Even when her sister could be nearing death, Rachel's still eaten up by jealousy.

Quote #6

Although she no longer hated Leah with the full force of the past, Rachel could not smile at her sister while her own body remained fruitless (1.2.110)

Jealousy isn't just a brief occurrence—it lasts a long time, much like a grudge. Again, though, this competition is deep rooted for these women, who can only survive in their society if they are good wives who can give their husbands children.