Class Difference
One of the first things that are highlighted in the story is the different class of people residing in the Kingdom of Didd. King Derwin looks down from his balcony of his palace at the noblemen’s castles, the rich men’s mansions, the little houses of the townsfolk and the huts of the farmers far off in the fields. This view makes King Derwin feel very powerful and important. The view is exactly opposite for Bartholomew who lives in a hut in the fields. He looks on to the mansions, castles and the palace and feels very small. The King is a monarch and goes to great lengths to enforce his rule and get his wishes fulfilled.
Pettiness
The story revolves around King Derwin’s efforts to take off Bartholomew’s hat no matter the effort it took. The King had a rule that people were to take off their hats out of respect for him and he went to drastic lengths to enforce the same, including the arrest of Bartholomew Cubbins. The King spent the entire day coming up with solutions for the same and called upon various people to solve the mystery of the multiplying hat. He stopped at nothing and also considered chopping off poor Bartholomew’s head and throwing him off a tower if it meant that he would get his way.
The King’s nephew, Grand Duke Wilson suggested shooting off the hat with his bow and arrow. When this didn’t work, the Grand Duke was angered and frustrated and suggested chopping off Bartholomew’s head and throwing him off a tower.
Loyalty
Bartholomew Cubbins is a loyal subject of the King in the Kingdom of Didd. He is respectful of the King's wishes and vehemently tries to take off his hat. When the King ordered his arrest, Bartholomew dutifully went along with the procession to the King's palace. When all measures fail and the King orders Bartholomew's head to be chopped off, Bartholomew dutifully walks down the steps of the dungeon and requests the executioner to chop his head off.
