How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Kill him even if he's already dead," shouted Cook. "That's my philosophy with mice. If they're alive, kill them. If they're dead, kill them. That way you can be certain of having yourself a dead mouse, which is the only kind of mouse to have." (34.16)
Cook has her own philosophy when dealing with rodents, which probably makes sense if you're in charge of a kitchen. The book suggests that a person's (or rodent's) principles can depend on their position in life.
Quote #8
But stories that are not pretty have a certain value, too, I suppose. Everything, as you well know (having lived in this world long enough to have figured out a thing or two for yourself), cannot always be sweetness and light. (36.1)
Despereaux and Roscuro's stories show that the world operates by certain rules—which is that nothing is always happy and light. There's a lot of darkness and sadness around too…it's just a part of life.
Quote #9
"This is ridiculous," the princess said. "You can't threaten me. I'm a princess."
"We," said Roscuro, "are all too aware of the fact of what you are. A knife, however, cares nothing for the fact that you are royalty. And you will bleed, I assume, just like any other human." (37.20-21)
The law can't protect the princess. As the author's already said, the rats are outlaws. They. Don't. Care.