Previous
Chapter 26
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Cruel Prince, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Power and Control
Cycles of Violence
Identity and Coming of Age
The Nature of Love
Summary
Analysis
Jude brings Cardan with her to the outskirts of where the various visiting leaders of the faerie realm have made their camps. Jude intends to speak with a few of the leaders to ensure someone will side with her when she crowns the next king. Although Jude instructs Cardan to hang back, she brought him along so he could feed her information about the various leaders. Before departing, Jude asks Cardan to tell her about Queen Annet, the first person she intends to approach. Cardan informs Jude that Annet has a taste for violence, but still dislikes what Balekin did during Dain’s coronation.
Jude approaches the various leaders to ensure she does not get a repeat of what happened during Dain’s coronation. Jude brings Cardan along because she knows he will have information that is useful to her, which he will have to share now that he has sworn to serve her. Because of her limited experience at Court, Jude does not know anything about the various leaders she is intending to speak with, meaning she faces an uphill battle.
Active
Themes
With that, Jude leaves Cardan and approaches Annet’s camp. There, she announces herself as Balekin’s messenger and asks to speak with Annet. The sentries merely laugh at Jude and do not allow her to pass. Seeing no way through, Jude retreats back to Cardan and asks him who she should be speaking to. Cardan instructs her to go to Lord Roibon and Severin, who are not part of the High Court. Cardan explains that their lack of affiliation with the Court means they have less to lose if they choose to back Oak.
After her negative experience at Queen Annet’s camp, Jude realizes her mistake. As much as she dislikes Cardan, she needs to rely on him for the time being, as he knows what he is talking about. Indeed, Cardan proves to have the information she needs, though he only provides it once Jude asks for it, demonstrating the limits of his loyalty to her.
Active
Themes
First, Jude approaches Severin’s camp and asks the first person she sees to speak with Severin. When the person she addresses rolls their eyes, Jude realizes that Severin is sitting next to her, so she quickly apologizes. Then, she asks if she can speak with Severin in private. Severin leads Jude into a private tent and offers her food. Jude politely declines and then explains her plan to crown someone other than Balekin, though at first, she does not say who. When Severin questions her, Jude says that she intends to crown Cardan. She admits that Cardan will not be a great king but is still far more worthy than Balekin. Ultimately, Severin agrees to help Jude, but tells her that she will need to gather other allies as well if he is to join her.
Active
Themes
Next, Jude approaches Roiben’s encampment. Once again, Jude explains her plan and, again, she neglects to say who she intends to put on the throne. When Roiben questions her, she simply says that she promises the new king will be preferable to Balekin. Roiben promises to help Jude but, in return, he says he will one day approach the new king for a favor and expects the king’s help. Although she does not feel good about it, Jude accepts Roiben’s offer.
Get the entire The Cruel Prince LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
