How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[Katsa] practiced every day. She learned her own speed and her own explosive force. She learned the angle, position, and intensity of a killing blow versus a maiming blow. She learned how to disarm a man and how to break his leg […]. She learned to fight with a sword and with knives and daggers. She was so fast and focused, so creative, she could find a way to beat a man senseless with both arms tied to her sides. (1.42)
And remember: she's eight years old at this point. We can only imagine how much more her fighting ability developed over the next ten years, even though it hardly seems necessary. Seriously, think about it: wouldn't being able to beat someone senseless with both of your arms tied down be good enough? Guess the seven kingdoms must be a land of overachievers.
Quote #2
"What's the matter, Po? Do you fear me?"
"Yes, I fear you, as I should when you're angry. I won't fight you when you're angry. Nor should you fight me when I'm angry. That's not the purpose of these practices." (12.25-26)
This isn't the first time Po demonstrates his emotional insight, and it isn't the last, either—but it's a really good insight. People often say and do things when they're angry that they wouldn't say or do otherwise. Which is why it's usually a good idea not to really say or do much of anything when you've got rage on the brain. And seeing as how Katsa is capable of killing a person with her little finger, well, we think waiting to fight her when she's calm is a really smart strategy.
Quote #3
"[…] I doubt you need me to do your hunting, either."
"True. But you're better than I am, Katsa. And it doesn't humiliate me." He fed a branch to the fire. "It humbles me. But it doesn't humiliate me." (16.70-71)
It's a fine distinction and one that we're betting doesn't occur to a lot of people. Seeing someone do something ten times better and faster than you could be humiliating if, say, you were a gourmet chef being out-cooked by a rat. Of course, now that we think about it, the good guys in Ratatouille embraced Remy's abilities for the most part. They even went into business with him in the end, which suggests that they were more humbled than humiliated by the little guy's chops in the kitchen.
Hmm—those are some pretty emotionally mature Disney characters.