yes!! especially when you remember how earlier he was saying ‘put a man on an island, give him power over other men, and it won’t be long before he realises that the limits of that power are nowhere to be seen. And no man, given that kind of power, will remain honest for very long’ – he thought that ‘the atlantic ocean, a hundred years of history, and human nature’ were what prevented an honest man being made governor – and now?? he thinks that Thomas is greater than?? all these things?????? i mean holy shit????????? he’s so fucking in love?????????????