How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
She embraced his leg, she covered it with kisses, she cried, "O, my child, my darling!" lifting toward him a face that was transfigured with joy and love […] The words "I do not know you, woman!" were falling from Tom Canty's lips when this piteous thing occurred; but it smote him to the heart to see her treated so […] she seemed so wounded, so broken-hearted, that a shame fell upon him which consumed his pride to ashes, and withered his stolen royalty. His grandeurs were stricken valueless; they seemed to fall away from him like rotten rags. (31.13)
After all of these moments with the narrator emphasizing how much love mothers have for their children, this moment seems intensely dramatic. It's as if Tom has totally betrayed his mom. We guess something like this had to happen in order for Tom to give up the throne. This act, though, seems to prove that he's a good guy: love and family mean more for him in the end than money and comfort. By making this choice, of course, Tom actually does get money and comfort: Edward is so impressed that he makes sure Tom and his family are comfortable forever.