How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Preserve it?" returned Florian. "Preserve a power fixed by an accident of birth? Unearned, unmerited, only abused? You have been sadly misled, Doctor, if you come to me for that. Legitimate monarchy? The only legitimate rulers are the people of Westmark." (16.21)
Florian's a rebellious soul, and he's against the entire concept of monarchy. To him, rule by the people (i.e. a democracy) is the way to go, rather than having a kingdom, headed up by a monarch who just happened to be born into a hereditary role and isn't necessarily qualified for it.
Quote #2
"You cannot believe that," cried Torrens. "Do you see no difference between a monarch and a tyrant? The chief minister has been a disaster for the country. As king, he will be still worse. At court, the only one who dares oppose him is Queen Caroline. Her life may be in danger as a result. Cabbarus will let no one stand in his way. He has banished me, he has tried to have me murdered. But I will not leave the kingdom. I seek honest men to join me and support the queen's cause, to bring force to bear—" (16.18)
There's good monarchy, and then there's terrible monarchy—like Cabbarus, if he ever gets to be king. Torrens tries to show Florian, who's anti-monarchy, that having a king isn't all bad—it just depends on who the king or queen is. He'd rather fix what's already there (a.k.a. the kingdom) than start up a whole new system of government from scratch.
Quote #3
Augustine had given him the opening he sought, and he hurried on before he lost the monarch's attention. "Indeed, Sire, kings have a duty even beyond the tomb. We are all, at the end, dust and ashes. Your Majesty, alas, bears the added burden of determining his successor.
"There is no successor."
"Precisely my point, Majesty. Queen Caroline, as a royal widow, may rule in your stead. This merely delays the question without resolving it. Your Majesty must have an heir to carry on his sacred trust." (5.16-18)
Guess who thinks he'd make a good successor? Yup—that would be Cabbarus. Unfortunately, since he's not the blood heir, convincing the king to name him as such will be quite the political feat.
Quote #4
"I said 'people,' Madam. They are your subjects through affection and loyalty. They are people in their own right. I believe most understand that Cabbarus, not the monarchy, is to blame for the injustices, the punishments, indeed the whole sorry state of the kingdom. I hope to find those who will rally to your side against him."
"You expect much from commoners," said the queen.
"I do," said Torrens. He smiled. "Being one of them myself." (9.41-43)
Queen Caroline comes across as a bit snobby—she doesn't expect normal people to be able to have any influence. That would be class structure influencing her politics, Shmoopsters. But her trusty Torrens is an ordinary person, so he just might just be able to change her mind.
Quote #5
"Let us understand each other," Florian broke in. "You are correct on two counts. We are honest men here. Our opinion of Cabbarus matches yours. As for supporting your cause, I see no reason. We intend, Doctor, to support our own." "Whatever that may be," said Torrens, "it is less urgent than putting an end to the influence of Cabbarus. The villain must be brought down, without delay. whatever the cost. There is no other way to preserve legitimate monarchy." "Preserve it?" returned Florian. "Preserve a power fixed by an accident of birth? Unearned, unmerited, only abused? You have been sadly misled, Doctor, if you come to me for that. Legitimate monarchy? The only legitimate rulers are the people of Westmark." (16.19-21)
Talk about differing opinions. Florian's anti-monarchy and wants to take down the king, but Torrens thinks that kingship is good, provided you have a decent ruler. They're complete opposites, but still want to fight for the same cause—freedom from Cabbarus.
Quote #6
"That, sir, is a dream. I do not share it with you. There are abuses; I do not deny it. They must be corrected. But not through destruction. If I have a patient with a broken leg, I mend the leg. I do not bleed him to death. I do what is possible and practical." (16.22)
Dr. Torrens thinks a democracy might be nice, but it's not realistic. He thinks fixing up the monarchy is a better idea than starting from scratch—in other words, he's a realist.
Quote #7
"Who decides what's right? Me? You? Dr. Torrens? He's against you. He holds with the monarchy. But he seems a good and honorable man."
"He is," answered Florian. "Curious that being a commoner he should take that side. Perhaps he knows less of it than I do. I can tell you of peasants flogged half to death, forced to weed a noble's garden while their own crops rot in the ground, having their cottages pulled down to make room for a deer park. I know the aristocracy better than Torrens ever can. I was born into it." (19.35-36)
Florian definitely has a good reason for opposing the upper classes—he was born an aristocrat, so he's seen first-hand the bad stuff they've done to the common people. He's coming from having witnessed oppression, as opposed to Dr. Torrens, who hasn't. Who's right? Not sure.
Quote #8
"As for Torrens thinking merely to correct abuses—he is almost as innocent as you are. Abuse is in the very grain of the monarchy's power. And I can tell you one thing more. Men give up many things willingly: their fortunes, their loves, their dreams. Power, never. It must be taken. And you, youngster, will have to choose your side. Though I assure you the monarchy will be as unsparing with its enemies as I am, at least there is justice in my cause."
"Even if the cause is good," said Theo, "what does it do to the people who stand against it? And the people who follow it?"
"Next time you see Jellinek," said Florian, "ask him if he's ever found a way to make an omelet without breaking eggs."
"Yes," Theo said. "Yes, but men aren't eggs." (19.38-41)
According to Florian, the whole system of monarchy is flawed in its very nature and can't be improved. People are gonna kick the bucket in this revolution, but Theo's not sure it's worth taking human lives. Ever the moralist, that Theo is.
Quote #9
King Augustine, over the doctor's protest, named Torrens chief minister. Augustine then ordered him to announce pardon to all whom Cabbarus had unjustly sentenced, as well as those who had attacked the Nierkeeping garrison. The doctor, describing Florian to the king, doubted this would satisfy him.
"We spent many days together," said Torrens. "We did not agree, nor did I expect us to. As a man, I respect him more than I imagined I would. As chief minister, I am troubled by him. He has not rejoined his friends in Freyborg. Where he is, I do not know. But he has not changed his views of the monarchy. I suspect we shall hear again of Master Florian." (26.48-49)
After Princess Augusta is restored, Auggie is back to his old self. The monarchy is better than ever, but Florian's still kicking it somewhere. Torrens and his view of government triumphed… for now. Who knows what the future holds for the people of Westmark? Is it as good as it could be?
Quote #10
"I have none," said Theo. "But Dr. Torrens has one for me. I don't know. I was telling Mickle—the princess—I'll have to decide. Dr. Torrens wants me to travel around Westmark."
"You'll do it in fine style," said Las Bombas. "Rather better than we did."
"No. Just the opposite. He wants me to be on my own and see for myself what the kingdom's like. He thinks I can find out what the people want and what's to be done about it. But I don't know if I can. I don't even know whether Florian's right, or the monarchy." (27.22-24)
Dr. Torrens wants Theo to get the people's input for their government, and while it's not quite the radical change Florian was envisioning, it's definitely a start toward more equality. The government seems to be moving in the right direction.