How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Judge Driscoll could be a free-thinker and still hold his place in society, because he was the person of most consequence in the community, and therefore could venture to go his own way and follow out his own notions. The other member of his pet organization was allowed the like liberty because he was a cipher in the estimation of the public, and nobody attached any importance to what he thought or did. (5.7)
So maybe being labeled the town fool isn't the worst thing that could happen to a person after all. Far from limiting his potential, the public's dim view of Pudd'nhead's intelligence grants him a ton of freedom to think and act in whatever ways he wants.
Quote #8
Wilson took up several of his strips of glass. When the audience recognized these familiar mementoes of Pudd'nhead's old-time childish "puttering" and folly, the tense and funeral interest vanished out of their faces, and the house burst into volleys of relieving and refreshing laughter, and Tom chirked and joined in the fun himself; but Wilson was apparently not disturbed. (21.13)
Well, we know who's going to get the last laugh here. And perhaps Pudd'nhead's most genius move of all is his refusal let his confidence be shaken.
Quote #9
Troop after troop of citizens came to serenade Wilson, and require a speech, and shout themselves hoarse over every sentence that fell from his lips—for all his sentences were golden, now, all were marvelous. (Conclusion.1)
Not to rain on the Pudd'nhead Parade or anything, but is Wilson's victory in winning these people over really that sweet given what poor judges of character they've proven to be?