How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)
Quote #7
Knight-errantry was a doomed institution. The march of civilization was begun. (39.13)
Hank connects the British knights with general barbaric awfulness. Once he defeats them, things will get better... and they do. Until, you know, they don't anymore. What does that mean for the march of civilization?
Quote #8
Slavery was dead and gone; all men were equal before the law; taxation had been equalized. (40.2)
These are all American ideals, which Hank is very proud of making come true. It's particularly telling because it takes place in King Arthur's Britain… not just England, but the England of their greatest mythical hero. Twain may be saying that American ideals would make this idealized version of Britain a whole lot better.
Quote #9
Upon Arthur's death unlimited suffrage should be introduced, and given to men and women alike. (40.3)
Again, Hank is overturning a British institution—Arthur's reign—in favor of an American constitutional republic. It's also worth noting that women weren't allowed to vote in America when Twain wrote the book. He was a forward thinking man, that Twain: describing the way things should be rather than the way they were at the time.