How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Despereaux forgot all his fear. He only wanted to hear the music.
He crept closer and then closer still, until reader, he was sitting right at the foot of the king. (4.26-27)
Despereaux has never been a particularly brave mouse before, but forgets his fear when he hears that wonderful music. Was this courage or was he just oblivious?
Quote #2
Despereaux squared his shoulders. He had made a decision. He would do as the threadmaster had suggested. He would be brave for the princess. (11.28)
Even though Despereaux has never been more terrified in his life (and his short life is probably about to end), he tries not to break down. It's easier for him to be brave because he had the threadmaster to encourage him. There's a lesson in there somewhere…
Quote #3
At the thought of being eaten by rats, Despereaux forgot about being brave. He forgot about not being a disappointment. He felt himself heading into another faint. But his mother, who had an excellent sense of dramatic timing, beat him to it; she executed a beautiful, flawless swoon, landing right at Despereaux's feet. (12.25)
Despereaux almost loses it when he hears his sentence spelled out for him—the awful realization that he's going to be eaten by rats—but his mother beats him to the melodrama. That sure didn't help.