How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Truth to tell, were you not with Alan, I wouldn't have put myself in your way. We're not fond of nobles here." (2.194)
Preach it, George! We can imagine why the citizens of the lower city might not be that into nobles. In a feudal social system, nobles are theoretically supposed to care for the people who are within their protection…but in what social system does the upper class manage to actually to look out for all the impoverished and homeless people out there? Definitely not Tortall's, where the rich do what they like, and the poor get ignored. No wonder George and his kind generally stay away from nobles.
Quote #8
Here Jon was "Johnny," the rich merchant's son George had taken a liking to. At the Dancing Dove men didn't fall respectfully silent when Jonathan spoke…No one ever guessed that the heir to the throne was sitting there, sipping a tankard of ale and occasionally tossing a set of dice. (6.265-266)
If people treat you differently when they know you're royalty vs. when they're in the dark, that's a clue that your society might have some class issues. We think it's pretty cool that Jonathan masquerades as a non-royal in order to hang out with the lower classes and learn about their way of life. Maybe he's not as stuck up as other nobles seem to be.
Quote #9
"I've friends in the palace," George said. "There isn't much you can keep from your servants, Highness." (5.133)
Truth: high-class people tend to ignore their servants, acting as though they don't count as people. So if a servant is nearby when a noble just so happens to discusses something that's supposed to be a secret, oops! There goes that secrecy. Servants are probably supposed to keep that stuff to themselves, but the Rogue's people have their own priorities. George's well-informed network of spies gives him knowledge to bargain with, while the nobles have other advantages such as wealth and social status.