Cats Quote by Diana Wynne Jones
““The soldier was like that. He was an expert in getting other people to do what he wanted. The only creature that could make the soldier do something he did not want was Midnight, and Midnight did things she did not want only when Whippersnapper wanted something. That put the kitten right at the top of the pecking order. A kitten!””
About This Quote
A soldier is masterful at manipulation, yet only a kitten named Midnight can resist his will, acting only when another character, Whippersnapper, intervenes, placing the kitten at the top of the hierarchy.
In simple terms: A kitten subverts a soldier’s control through a third‑party trigger.
Key Takeaway
Power dynamics shift when an unexpected ally intervenes.
Themes
power
manipulation
hierarchy
agency
humor
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
narrative
dialogue
When to use this quote
- storytelling
- character development
- fantasy world‑building
- dialogue writing
Key Concepts
soldier
kitten
Midnight
Whippersnapper
control
Practical Applications
- illustrating power reversal
- adding comic relief
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the kitten’s agency reveal about authority?
- How does humor expose the limits of control?
