Graceling Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

She had thought him a fighter, just a fighter. […]

She had trusted him. She had trusted him, and she should not have. He had misrepresented himself, misrepresented his Grace. And that was the same as if he had lied. (12.137, 13.139)

This brings up a good question: What makes something a lie? Let's say, for example, you tell someone you went to the Junior Olympics for your sport (as in, to watch the competition), and they think you mean that you participated. Is it a lie to allow them to misinterpret your words? Or what if you intentionally leave out some important information when you're explaining something because you know it will upset someone. Is that the same as lying? Or is it only lying when you blatantly say something that's not true?

Quote #8

"His Grace has been a secret since he was a child, Kat."

[…] "His mother knew he'd only be used as a tool, if the truth came out." (14.59, 14.61)

Should Po have told Katsa the truth about his Grace from the beginning? Could Po have told Katsa the truth about his Grace from the beginning? How do you think Katsa would have responded? Clearly Po's mom and his grandfather have been keeping this secret for a long time. Do you think they have been justified in doing so? Why or why not?

Quote #9

A woman staggered across the fields toward them, a small woman with arms raised, her face a mask of terror. […] And behind her an army of men on galloping horses, led by one man with streaming robes and an eyepatch, and a raised bow, and a notched arrow that flew from her bow and struck the woman square in the back. […]

"What a terrible, terrible accident!" the man screamed. "My wife! My beloved wife!" (23.12-23.16)

Okay—here's where the lies get spooky. There seem to be two major things that separate Leck's lies and deceits from the kind of lies and deceit in which many of the other characters, and the Council, have engaged. First of all, Leck's Grace allows him to manipulate other people's minds so that they have no power to disbelieve his lies. And second, his lies are all told for personal gain. No one else stands to benefit from Leck's lies and deceit. Quite the contrary, in fact—many people suffer because of Leck's deceptions.