The False Prince

The author takes great pains to develop a long history and lore associated with Carthya, the fictional country in which the book in set. How does the Carthyan lore support the book’s main themes? 

Latamer, Errol, and Cregan are three minor characters that, for various reasons, all play pivotal roles in the book. Examine how each of these characters advances the plot and/or gives deeper meaning to The False Prince. 

Fathers, especially King Eckbert, are not portrayed in an especially positive light in The False Prince. Compare how the roles of mothers and fathers function differently in the book. 

Sage has a complicated relationship to morality. On the one hand, he defies all convention and lives by a morality code of his own making; on the other hand, he always seems to do “the right thing,” depending on the circumstance. Choose at least two scenes in which Sage makes a complicated moral decision, and examine how those scenes function in the narrative as a whole. 

Imogen pretends to be a mute for self-protection. Sage is a prince who pretends to be an orphan; as he lives as an orphan, he must also pretend to be a prince again. Compare and contrast these characters, and discuss how the subplot of their love story fits into the narrative as a whole. 

Sage has a dual role of orphan boy and prince. Imogen pretends to be a mute. Mott is Sage’s friend, but he is also his captor and torturer. What is the most “authentic” version of each of these characters? Discuss the nature of identity and authenticity in the novel, drawing on these three characters and any other instances as you see fit.

Conner and King Eckbert both make difficult decisions out of a sense of duty to Carthya. Explore the moral limits of patriotism. When is it “wrong” to do something for the good of Carthya? Is it ever? 

Unpack the following quote, spoken by Sage after he finds out that he is going to eventually be king of Carthya: “The charade of being Sage was nearly over. I planned to enjoy it as long as I could” (276). What “enjoyment” is he referring to? What sacrifices is he going to need to make as king? How does this add to the themes of identity and freedom in the book?