Cds Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
“I am a Prince," he replied, being rather dense. "It is the function of a Prince—value A—to kill monsters—value B—for the purpose of establishing order—value C—and maintaining a steady supply of maidens—value D. If one inserts the derivative of value A (Prince) into the equation y equals BC plus CD squared, and sets it equal to zero, giving the apex of the parabola, namely, the point of intersection between A (Prince) and B (Monster), one determines value E—a stable kingdom. It is all very complicated, and if you have a chart handy I can graph it for you.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making" by Catherynne M. Valente, 2016
The passage satirically describes a prince’s duties as a formula, highlighting absurdities in bureaucratic logic.
In simple terms: Complex formulas can mock simple power structures.
Key Takeaway
Question the logic behind authority.
Themes
satire
power
bureaucracy
Mood
witty
critical
Type
satirical
humorous
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- creative writing
- role‑play games
Key Concepts
systems theory
logic
fantasy satire
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the equation reveal about power?
- How does satire affect perception of authority?
A Different Perspective
The humor may obscure serious critique.
