How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
His spirits sank lower and lower as he moved between the glittering files of bowing courtiers; for he recognized that he was indeed a captive now, and might remain forever shut up in this gilded cage, a forlorn and friendless prince, except God in His mercy take pity on him and set him free. (5.63)
Most kids would kill to be the prince. So why does Tom feel like a captive? Why does he describe the palace as a "gilded cage," and why does he focus on being "friendless"?
Quote #2
Next the tired captive sat down and was going to take off his buskins, timidly asking leave with his eye, but another silk-and-velvet discomforter went down upon his knees and took the office from him. He made two or three further efforts to help himself, but being promptly forestalled each time, he finally gave up, with a sigh of resignation and a murmured "Beshrew me, but I marvel they do not require to breathe for me also!" (5.42)
This is the first time that Tom is being prepared for bed, and he hates it. But by the end of the novel, he's pretty used to the whole ceremony. How do you think this attitude has changed so quickly?
Quote #3
My Lord d'Arcy, First Groom of the Chamber, was there, to do goodness knows what; but there he was—let that suffice. The Lord Chief Butler was there, and stood behind Tom's chair, overseeing the solemnities, under command of the Lord Great Steward and the Lord Head Cook, who stood near. Tom had three hundred and eighty-four servants besides these; but they were not all in that room, of course, nor the quarter of them, neither was Tom aware yet that they existed. (7.2)
That's what it means to be rich: to have so many servants that you don't even know some of them exist. Human life starts to feel a little cheap in this situation—maybe that's why King Henry VIII had such little trouble sending 70,000 people to their deaths.