How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
As she lay thinking and mourning, the suggestion began to creep into her mind that there was an undefinable something about this boy that was lacking in Tom Canty, mad or sane. She could not describe it, she could not tell just what it was, and yet her sharp mother-instinct seemed to detect it and perceive it. What if the boy were really not her son, after all? (10.31)
We don't know if you noticed, but the moms in the story seem to have Spidey senses, as if they are innately unable to be fooled whenever something involves their kids. In this quote, Tom's mom's Spidey senses are definitely tingling. Why do you think mothers in this story seem to have this ability?
Quote #5
Then his poor muddled head nodded awhile, and presently dropped to his shoulder; and the business of the empire came to a standstill for want of that august factor, the ratifying power. Silence ensued around the slumbering child, and the sages of the realm ceased from their deliberations. (14.35)
What exactly is the job of the king? It seems like he's just there to make everything look official. Why is his presence so important? What, if anything, makes him different from other people? Does Tom do a better job as king than Henry VIII?
Quote #6
The dinner-hour drew near—yet, strangely enough, the thought brought but slight discomfort to Tom, and hardly any terror. The morning's experiences had wonderfully built up his confidence; the poor little ash- cat was already more wonted to his strange garret, after four days' habit, than a mature person could have become in a full month. A child's facility in accommodating itself to circumstances was never more strikingly illustrated. (16.1)
It looks like Tom is getting accustomed to his new surroundings. So is he still Tom the pauper? Or is he now Tom the king? What's the difference between these two Toms?