How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I think the woman hath said true. An my mother were in her place and gifted with the devil's functions, she had not stayed a moment to call her storms and lay the whole land in ruins, if the saving of my forfeit life were the price she got! It is argument that other mothers are made in like mold. Thou art free, good wife—thou and thy child—I do think the innocent. Now thou'st naught to fear, being pardoned—pull off thy stockings!—an thou canst make me a storm, thou shalt be rich!" (15.103)
Why do you think Mark Twain keeps emphasizing how much moms love their kids? He seems pretty invested in letting us know that moms love their kids more than life itself. Again, maybe it's this lady's love for her son that makes it possible for her to recognize him even when he's dressed up as the king.
Quote #8
During the last day of the trip, Hendon's spirits were soaring. His tongue ran constantly. He talked about his old father, and his brother Arthur, and told of many things which illustrated their high and generous characters; he went into loving frenzies over his Edith, and was so glad-hearted that he was even able to say some gentle and brotherly things about Hugh. He dwelt a deal on the coming meeting at Hendon Hall; what a surprise it would be to everybody, and what an outburst of thanksgiving and delight there would be. (25.7)
Unfortunately for Miles, family reunions are not always happy events. Shortly after this scene, everyone at his home will say that he's an impostor and throw him in jail. So family isn't always full of love in this novel—particularly when power and money get in the way.
Quote #9
Tom's poor mother and sisters traveled the same road out of his mind. At first he pined for them, sorrowed for them, longed to see them; but later, the thought of their coming some day in their rags and dirt, and betraying him with their kisses, and pulling him down from his lofty place, and dragging him back to penury and degradation and the slums, made him shudder. At last they ceased to trouble his thoughts almost wholly. And he was content, even glad; for, whenever their mournful and accusing faces did rise before him now, they made him feel more despicable than the worms that crawl. (30.8)
Why does Tom's feeling toward his mom and sisters change so much? Why did they make him feel more despicable than worms? Is there something morally questionable about what he's doing? Would these actions be morally questionable if Tom had no family?