How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I want to influence people so they'll do what I think it's important they should do. I can't get 'em to do that unless I let 'em bore me first, you understand. Then just as they're delighting in having got me punch-drunk with talk I come back at 'em and make 'em do what I've got lined up for 'em." (21.34)
It turns out that Mr. Gore-Urquhart doesn't have much respect for boring people, either, but he fakes respect for them. He's a strategic thinker.
Quote #8
"I'd no idea this was going to be such a grand affair. Half the big-wigs in the city must be here." (21.39)
Here, Margaret reminds Jim that there are a ton of important people with big reputations at his talk. This definitely makes the situation funnier, since none of these respectable people realize how little respect Jim has for any of them.
Quote #9
Below him, the local worthies were staring at him with frozen astonishment and protest. Of the Staff contingent, the senior members looked up with similar expressions, the junior wouldn't look up at all. The only person in the main body of the Hall who was actually producing sounds was Gore-Urquhart, and the sounds he was producing were of loud skirting laughter. Shouts, whistles, and applause came from the gallery. (22.14)
At this point, everyone in the auditorium has realized that Jim is delivering his lecture stinking drunk. All of the bigwigs down in front are outraged except for Gore-Urquhart, who thinks that Jim's performance is hilarious. All the regular folks up in the gallery think it's awesome, too. We think that Jim's putting the final nail in the coffin of his reputation, but we'll find out later that it's sealing the deal with old G-U.