"We are no more free agents than the queen of clubs when she victoriously takes prisoner the knave of hearts"

This quote by Mary Wortley Montagu is an allegory for the absence of freedom and autonomy that many people experience in their lives. The queen of clubs and the knave of hearts represent two people in a scenario where one has power over the other. The queen of clubs remains in a setting of power as well as is able to take the knave of hearts prisoner, illustrating exactly how one person can have control over another. The quote recommends that, like the knave of hearts, many people are not free agents and also are instead subject to the power of others. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the power dynamics of society, where some people remain in positions of power and authority and also others are not. Inevitably, the quote suggests that, while we might assume we are free agents, we are usually subject to the power of others.