Despereaux finds he has even more courage now to stand up for what he believes is good and right. These older mice, he realizes, are sheltered and live in a world that’s black and white. Despereaux, on the other hand—and now, perhaps, Lester too—lives in a world that’s far more nuanced. In Despereaux’s world, standing up for one’s beliefs is more important than following rules that exist due to fear and prejudice.