Boagus Asked Quote by Megan Whalen Turner
““The two soldiers laughed, and even the king smiled. Reinforcing Costis's suspicion that Eugenides had been responsible for Ornon's lost sheep, Boagus asked, "Do you still baa like a lamb when he walks into the room?" Eugenides shook his head. "Ornon took me aside first thing after the coronation and explained that it would be against my dignity." Aulus and Boagus stared. Eugenides expression was bland. "He said that?" Aulus asked. "He did," the king confirmed. "What did you say?" Boagus asked suspiciously. "I promised to bark like a sheepdog instead." The Eddisians chuckled again. "You don't, though?" Aulus had to ask. The king eyed him with disgust. "Give me some credit," He said, and when Aulus was visibly relieved, added, "Not when anybody else can hear me.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Thief, 2000
The passage satirizes authority and obedience, showing how absurd demands can expose hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Blind obedience is absurd.
Key Takeaway
Question authority’s logic.
Themes
power
obedience
absurdity
humor
Mood
witty
ironic
Type
satirical
fiction
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- political meetings
- personal negotiations
Key Concepts
bureaucracy
social conformity
Questions to Reflect On
- When does satire become complicity?
- How to recognize genuine dissent?
A Different Perspective
The humor may downplay real oppression.
![“[Eugenides] looked from Eddis to the window, where the visible sky was already dark. He looked back, his gaze a little sharper, and said, "You forgot me." Eddis shoved her hands into the pockets of her trousers.. "Don't lie," Eugenides said, pressing her. "You charged off in a haze of glory to…” quote by Megan Whalen Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/997/megan-whalen-turner-1289_humor_eugenides-looked-from-eddis-to-the-windo_2446593.jpg)
![“I woke with a terrible headache and wobbled around 'till I fell out the window." "You what?" "Fell out the window. That one over there." She [Edwina] gestured to the curtain behind her. "I broke my back. My spine is all wobbly now, but it doesn't hurt.” quote by Megan Whalen Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/699/megan-whalen-turner-1289_behinds_i-woke-with-a-terrible-headache-and-wobb_56744.jpg)
