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Family Quote by Mark Twain

“Clarence was with me as concerned the revolution, but in a modified way. His idea was a republic, without privileged orders, but with a hereditary royal family at the head of it instead of an elective chief magistrate. He believed that no nation that had ever known the joy of worshiping a royal…” quote by Mark Twain
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““Clarence was with me as concerned the revolution, but in a modified way. His idea was a republic, without privileged orders, but with a hereditary royal family at the head of it instead of an elective chief magistrate. He believed that no nation that had ever known the joy of worshiping a royal family could ever be robbed of it and not fade away and die of melancholy. I urged that kings were dangerous. He said, then have cats. He was sure that a royal family of cats would answer every purpose. They would be as useful as any other royal family, they would know as much, they would have the same virtues and the same treacheries, the same disposition to get up shindies with other royal cats, they would be laughably vain and absurd and never know it, they would be wholly inexpensive; finally, they would have as sound a divine right as any other royal house, and “Tom VII, or Tom XI, or Tom XIV by the grace of God King,” would sound as well as it would when applied to the ordinary royal tomcat with tights on.””

Mark Twain

About This Quote

Source Book: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Mark Twain, 1889

The passage satends a satirical view of monarchy, suggesting even cats could fulfill royal roles, highlighting the absurdity of hereditary power and divine right.

In simple terms: Monarchy is absurd, even cats could be kings.

Key Takeaway

Question the basis of inherited authority.

Themes

satire politics absurdity

Mood

ironic wry critical

Type

satirical humorous political

When to use this quote

  • political debate
  • fiction writing
  • humorous commentary

Key Concepts

monarchy divine right social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes hereditary rule seem legitimate?
  • Can satire change political views?
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