The Prince and the Pauper Respect and Reputation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

He seemed to know so much! and he could do and say such marvelous things! and withal, he was so deep and wise! Tom's remarks, and Tom's performances, were reported by the boys to their elders; and these, also, presently began to discuss Tom Canty, and to regard him as a most gifted and extraordinary creature. Full-grown people brought their perplexities to Tom for solution, and were often astonished at the wit and wisdom of his decisions. (2.8)

He might have been a nobody in the grand scheme of things, but Tom was the most respected person in his own neighborhood. Why do you think people started to respect him after he began acting like a prince?

Quote #2

The soldier that had maltreated Tom obeyed promptly; and as the prince burst through the portal, half smothered with royal wrath, the soldier fetched him a sounding box on the ear that sent him whirling to the roadway, and said:

"Take that, thou beggar's spawn, for what thou got'st me from his Highness!" (3.68)

All it took for the prince to lose his reputation was for him to change his clothes. Think that couldn't happen? Imagine how beautiful Angelina Jolie would look if she were wearing a burlap sack instead of a designer dress, and if she had been sleeping in the street for the past week. If she walked up to you on the street and said she was Angelina Jolie, would you believe her?

Quote #3

"Let the show go on!" shouted Canty. "What, Nan! what. Bet! Mannerless wenches! will ye stand in the prince's presence? Upon your knees, ye pauper scum, and do him reverence!" (10.17)

In this scene John Canty is abusing the prince after they've met for the first time. Many people believe that people of a certain status should only behave in a certain way, and if they act differently or above their stations, they should be made fun of or abused. We are going to guess that John Canty is one of those people. What role do people like John Canty play in upholding the status quo, even if the status quo is bad for them?