People
There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams, and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
— Washington Irving
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
This claims that a woman's heart holds a hidden spark that stays quiet when life is easy but flares up when times turn hard. It praises resilience as something revealed by adversity, and reflects a sentimental view of women's character.
Context reviewed