How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name of Canty, who did not want him. (1.1)
Isn't that the saddest opening line ever? The reason Tom's family doesn't want him is that when it comes right down to it, he's another expensive mouth to feed. If you're thinking of a child primarily as a financial catastrophe, chances are you're suffering from real poverty.
Quote #2
On the same day another English child was born to a rich family of the name of Tudor, who did want him. All England wanted him too. England had so longed for him, and hoped for him, and prayed God for him, that, now that he was really come, the people went nearly mad for joy. Mere acquaintances hugged and kissed each other and cried. Everybody took a holiday, and high and low, rich and poor, feasted and danced and sang, and got very mellow; and they kept this up for days and nights together. (1.1)
Of course, everyone is excited about the birth of a new prince, but Edward's story is a little special. Henry VIII had actually married, divorced, and killed women while trying to have a baby boy, but he just kept having daughters. So when Edward was finally born, it was almost like a miracle, and people were ecstatic.
Quote #3
"The king thy father! O my child! unsay these words that be freighted with death for thee, and ruin for all that be near to thee. Shake off this gruesome dream. Call back thy poor wandering memory. Look upon me. Am not I thy mother that bore thee, and loveth thee?" (10.13)
Even though Tom's family isn't all that excited to see him born, moms are still moms. Tom's mom loves him (even though she's actually talking to Edward here).
Quote #4
A sounding blow upon the prince's shoulder from Canty's broad palm sent him staggering into good-wife Canty's arms, who clasped him to her breast and sheltered him from a pelting rain of cuffs and slaps by interposing her own person. (10.24)
If you had any doubts about how much Tom's mom loves him, this should put an end to them. We don't want to put words in anyone's mouth, but we wouldn't be surprised if it's Tom's mom real love for him that makes it possible for her to finally recognize him at the end.
Quote #5
The tremendous news was already abroad, and the boy learned it from a thousand voices at once—"The king is dead!" The tidings struck a chill to the heart of the poor little waif, and sent a shudder through his frame. He realized the greatness of his loss, and was filled with a bitter grief; for the grim tyrant who had been such a terror to others had always been gentle with him. The tears sprung to his eyes and blurred all objects. For an instant he felt himself the most forlorn, outcast, and forsaken of God's creatures—then another cry shook the night with its far-reaching thunders: "Long live King Edward the Sixth!" and this made his eyes kindle, and thrilled him with pride to his fingers' ends. "Ah," he thought, "how grand and strange it seems—I AM KING!" (12.1)
Is anyone else a little freaked out by how easily Edward got over the death of his own father? We know it's exciting to be the new king, but his dad is still dead. On the other hand, it's pretty likely that Edward didn't have a particularly close relationship with his dad; it's not like Henry VIII would have had much time to spend with his kids, after all. Most of the parenting would have been done by servants.
Quote #6
As he wormed his swift way through the noisy multitudes upon the Bridge, he several times said to himself—clinging to the thought as if it were a particularly pleasing one: "He grumbled, but he went—he went, yes, because he thought Miles Hendon asked it, sweet lad—he would ne'er have done it for another, I know it well!" (13.27)
Miles Hendon seems to be more of a father figure for Edward than his real dad was. It's obvious that Edward really cares about him, since he probably wouldn't have followed the commands of anyone else.
Quote #7
"I think the woman hath said true. An my mother were in her place and gifted with the devil's functions, she had not stayed a moment to call her storms and lay the whole land in ruins, if the saving of my forfeit life were the price she got! It is argument that other mothers are made in like mold. Thou art free, good wife—thou and thy child—I do think the innocent. Now thou'st naught to fear, being pardoned—pull off thy stockings!—an thou canst make me a storm, thou shalt be rich!" (15.103)
Why do you think Mark Twain keeps emphasizing how much moms love their kids? He seems pretty invested in letting us know that moms love their kids more than life itself. Again, maybe it's this lady's love for her son that makes it possible for her to recognize him even when he's dressed up as the king.
Quote #8
During the last day of the trip, Hendon's spirits were soaring. His tongue ran constantly. He talked about his old father, and his brother Arthur, and told of many things which illustrated their high and generous characters; he went into loving frenzies over his Edith, and was so glad-hearted that he was even able to say some gentle and brotherly things about Hugh. He dwelt a deal on the coming meeting at Hendon Hall; what a surprise it would be to everybody, and what an outburst of thanksgiving and delight there would be. (25.7)
Unfortunately for Miles, family reunions are not always happy events. Shortly after this scene, everyone at his home will say that he's an impostor and throw him in jail. So family isn't always full of love in this novel—particularly when power and money get in the way.
Quote #9
Tom's poor mother and sisters traveled the same road out of his mind. At first he pined for them, sorrowed for them, longed to see them; but later, the thought of their coming some day in their rags and dirt, and betraying him with their kisses, and pulling him down from his lofty place, and dragging him back to penury and degradation and the slums, made him shudder. At last they ceased to trouble his thoughts almost wholly. And he was content, even glad; for, whenever their mournful and accusing faces did rise before him now, they made him feel more despicable than the worms that crawl. (30.8)
Why does Tom's feeling toward his mom and sisters change so much? Why did they make him feel more despicable than worms? Is there something morally questionable about what he's doing? Would these actions be morally questionable if Tom had no family?
Quote #10
She embraced his leg, she covered it with kisses, she cried, "O, my child, my darling!" lifting toward him a face that was transfigured with joy and love […] The words "I do not know you, woman!" were falling from Tom Canty's lips when this piteous thing occurred; but it smote him to the heart to see her treated so […] she seemed so wounded, so broken-hearted, that a shame fell upon him which consumed his pride to ashes, and withered his stolen royalty. His grandeurs were stricken valueless; they seemed to fall away from him like rotten rags. (31.13)
After all of these moments with the narrator emphasizing how much love mothers have for their children, this moment seems intensely dramatic. It's as if Tom has totally betrayed his mom. We guess something like this had to happen in order for Tom to give up the throne. This act, though, seems to prove that he's a good guy: love and family mean more for him in the end than money and comfort. By making this choice, of course, Tom actually does get money and comfort: Edward is so impressed that he makes sure Tom and his family are comfortable forever.