How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Your cheating doesn't trouble me much, I must say, so long as I understand the situation. The secret is control, do you see? I simply wish to know the circumstances so that I can manipulate—that is, so that I can manage them. No matter what the circumstances, George, so long as they are controlled, we may have harmony." (24.40)
Oops—Mr. C had a little Freudian slip there, didn't he? "Manipulate" is exactly what he meant, because that is in fact what he does—he manipulates circumstances and situations. But he didn't mean to say it out loud, which is why he quickly replaces it with "manage." Hmm. Does this represent a slight loss of control on Mr. C's part? Perhaps it's even a hint that he's not quite as in control as he likes everyone to think.
Quote #8
"The walls are solid stone as well. The door through which you entered is the only door, and I am the only one who can open it. Control, boy! Control is key. The Whispering Gallery is perfectly controlled." (26.25)
Wait a minute… didn't Mr. C write in his journal that there was no such thing as perfect control? So then how can the Whispering Gallery be perfectly controlled? Answer: it can't. Which means that once again Mr. C is counting on the illusion of perfect control to impress upon Reynie and George just how powerless they are here. And if they believe him, then yeah, perfect control and the illusion of perfect control amount to pretty much the same thing.
Quote #9
Mr. Curtain laughed. "Sadly, no. The only way fears truly disappear is if you confront them. But who in the world wishes to confront his or her worst fears?" (31.57)
Unfortunately for Mr. C, there are people in the world who wish to confront their fears. In fact, it seems like S.Q. is one of those people, because he nods enthusiastically at the idea until he realizes he's supposed to be shaking his head like Martina. So if there are people who not only wish to confront their fears, but who choose to—people like Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance—where does that leave Mr. Curtain and his theory that fear drives all human behavior? We'll tell you where: out of control.