Will Morven be a good queen?Um, said Anya, flustered. She's the oldest... Bert's eyes opened wider, questioningly. And that makes her fit to rule? Tell me, in your reading, do you study history?
In the story "Frogkisser!" by Garth Nix, Anya is asked whether Morven would make a good queen. She responds hesitantly, pointing out that Morven is the oldest, implying that age might be a factor in her suitability to rule. Bert seems surprised by this, questioning if age alone really makes someone fit to be a leader. The conversation hints at the idea that qualities beyond age, such as wisdom or capability, might be more important for a good ruler.
Throughout the exchange, the characters reflect on what truly makes a good leader, suggesting a deeper consideration of qualities like experience, wisdom, and competence versus simply being the oldest or the firstborn. The dialogue sets up a theme about leadership and whether traditional assumptions about authority are valid, prompting readers to think about what qualities are necessary for someone to govern well.
