The Tale of Despereaux Guilt and Blame Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

The only noise came from Lester. He was crying.

And thirteen mice, ashamed for Lester, looked away. Reader, can you imagine your own father not voting against your being sent to a dungeon full of rats? Can you imagine him not saying one word in your defense? (8.14-16)

Why are the other mice ashamed for Lester? After all, they've voted against him as well.

Quote #2

The man cleared his throat. "I'm here for stealing six cows, two Jerseys and four Guernseys. Cow theft, that's my crime." He opened his eyes and stared into the darkness. He laughed. He closed his eyes again. "But there's something else I done, many years ago, another crime, and they don't even know it." (18.18)

The one thing that haunts the prisoner the most isn't even technically a crime—at least not back in those days—but a horrible act nonetheless. He feels so guilty that he needs to confess to the jailer even though no one knows anything about it.

Quote #3

"And then I done the worst thing of all: I walked away from her and she was crying and calling out for me and I did not even look back. I did not. Oh, Lord, I kept walking." The prisoner cleared his throat. He sniffed. (18.24)

When the prisoner says this, it's the moment where the reader realizes he's Mig's father. He accepts responsibility for what he did. Once you found that out, did you anticipate that they'd be reunited at the end?