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Chapter 2
Themes
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
Faeries are nocturnal, so the ball takes place at night. When Jude arrives, she sees all manner of creatures (goblins, pixies, a boy with bark for skin) in elaborate costumes. Although Jude hates to admit it, she enjoys the pageantry of it all. Still, she has not come to the ball to find a husband. Instead, she wants to become part of the Circle of Falcons, the segment of the court led by Prince Dain, which is for warriors.
Although everything Jude sees would be strange and extraordinary to the average human, it is actually Jude who does not fit in. While Jude is far from the average teenager, like all teenagers, she wants to feel like she belongs. For her, becoming part of Prince Dain’s Circle of Falcons is way to become part of the High Court while still retaining her individuality.
Themes
Jude and Taryn enjoy the spectacle of the ball until the arrival of Cardan, the sixth-born son of High King Eldred. Cardan is noted for his cruelty, though everyone has to bow to him anyway when he enters the ball. With Cardan are his closest friends, Valerian, Nicasia, and Locke. When Valerian passes by Jude, he whispers nasty comments about her appearance into her ear, reminding her that she does not belong at court.
Throughout the novel, various characters wield their social rank as a weapon to hurt the less powerful. Though Cardan did nothing to deserve his social rank other than be born into the right family, he still feels entitled to treat others as though they are less than him. His friends, particularly Valerian, follow his example.
Themes
Then, Cardan spots a boy who is not bowing. Cardan rips one of the boy’s wings off, causing the boy to writhe in pain on the ground. Even Cardan’s friends look surprised at the sudden act of violence. Locke helps the injured boy up and, while doing so, locks eyes with Jude. Locke gives Jude a wink, causing her to wonder if he is not so bad after all despite the company he keeps.
