How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Who decides what's right? Me? You? Dr. Torrens? He's against you. He holds with the monarchy. But he seems a good and honorable man."
"He is," answered Florian. "Curious that being a commoner he should take that side. Perhaps he knows less of it than I do. I can tell you of peasants flogged half to death, forced to weed a noble's garden while their own crops rot in the ground, having their cottages pulled down to make room for a deer park. I know the aristocracy better than Torrens ever can. I was born into it." (19.35-36)
Florian definitely has a good reason for opposing the upper classes—he was born an aristocrat, so he's seen first-hand the bad stuff they've done to the common people. He's coming from having witnessed oppression, as opposed to Dr. Torrens, who hasn't. Who's right? Not sure.
Quote #8
"As for Torrens thinking merely to correct abuses—he is almost as innocent as you are. Abuse is in the very grain of the monarchy's power. And I can tell you one thing more. Men give up many things willingly: their fortunes, their loves, their dreams. Power, never. It must be taken. And you, youngster, will have to choose your side. Though I assure you the monarchy will be as unsparing with its enemies as I am, at least there is justice in my cause."
"Even if the cause is good," said Theo, "what does it do to the people who stand against it? And the people who follow it?"
"Next time you see Jellinek," said Florian, "ask him if he's ever found a way to make an omelet without breaking eggs."
"Yes," Theo said. "Yes, but men aren't eggs." (19.38-41)
According to Florian, the whole system of monarchy is flawed in its very nature and can't be improved. People are gonna kick the bucket in this revolution, but Theo's not sure it's worth taking human lives. Ever the moralist, that Theo is.
Quote #9
King Augustine, over the doctor's protest, named Torrens chief minister. Augustine then ordered him to announce pardon to all whom Cabbarus had unjustly sentenced, as well as those who had attacked the Nierkeeping garrison. The doctor, describing Florian to the king, doubted this would satisfy him.
"We spent many days together," said Torrens. "We did not agree, nor did I expect us to. As a man, I respect him more than I imagined I would. As chief minister, I am troubled by him. He has not rejoined his friends in Freyborg. Where he is, I do not know. But he has not changed his views of the monarchy. I suspect we shall hear again of Master Florian." (26.48-49)
After Princess Augusta is restored, Auggie is back to his old self. The monarchy is better than ever, but Florian's still kicking it somewhere. Torrens and his view of government triumphed… for now. Who knows what the future holds for the people of Westmark? Is it as good as it could be?