The Princess And The Goblin Literary Analysis

In The Princess and the Goblin, the author uses many literary devices to bring his writing to life and to illustrate specific moments in the story.

“Her face was fair and pretty, with eyes like two bits of night-sky, each with a star dissolved in the blue.” This elaborate simile creates a mental image of the natural beauty of the young princess, Irene, by comparing her eyes to the night sky. The simile also parallels the depth of Irene’s soul to the dark, endless night sky.

Dramatic irony is used when Irene is led by her grandmother’s string to a pile of stones in the heart of the mountain. “But neither did she know who was on the other side of the slab.” Irene fees hopelessly misled by her great-grandmother’s string, but the reader is

fully aware that Curdie lies on the other side of the stone slab desperately needing Irene’s help.
An example of foreshadowing can be found in Chapter Three regarding Irene’s great-grandmother. The author states, “About this spinning of hers I will tell you more next time. Guess what she was spinning.” The author gives the opportunity for the reader to predict unfolding events in the story. If the reader notices small clues like this one, it is clear that Irene’s great-grandmother is creating something amazing for her.
Another simile is used to describe the dew on the mountain. “The dew lay in round drops upon the leaves, and hung like tiny diamonds from the blades of grass about her path.” The dew drops are compared to tiny beautiful diamonds. This simile creates an aura of elegance and gives value to the natural landscape of the mountain.
In the story, Great-Grandmother Irene's character is an allegory. Great-Grandmother Irene’s symbolism has the possibility to be interpreted differently: as a God-figure or as an inner wisdom. Irene’s great-grandmother guides her, sends her help from above, and teaches her patience, just as God does to us. On the other hand, Great-Grandmother Irene’s character can also represent Princess Irene’s inner wisdom, or her conscience, that motivates her to do the right thing. There are many visible parallels of Irene’s great-grandmother and God, although the interpretation is unique for the individual reader.

Meaningful Quotes
“We are all very anxious to be understood, and it is very hard not to be. But there is one thing much more necessary. 'What is that, grandmother?' To understand other people.'”
This message is vital to the growth and maturity that Irene experiences throughout the story. Great-Grandmother Irene’s words sum up one of the lessons taught in this book. In order to receive the understanding that you want, you must make an effort understand other people as well. Princess Irene’s frustrations with Curdie and his non-belief changed after she began to patiently understand his reluctance and accept it.

“It is so silly of people to fancy that old age means crookedness and witheredness and feebleness and sticks and spectacles and rheumatism and forgetfulness! It is so silly! Old age has nothing whatever to do with all that. The right old age means strength and beauty and mirth and courage and clear eyes and strong painless limbs.”
Great-Grandmother Irene’s wise words to the young princess are a reminder to all young people that elders deserve respect and honor. Wisdom is to be valued, and Great-Grandmother Irene knew this better than most.
“Seeing is not believing—it is only seeing.”
Great-Grandmother uttered these words when explaining to Irene the reason of Curdie’s disbelief in herself. Curdie had yet to believe with his heart, and was struggling in trying to see the unseen.
“It is when people do wrong things willfully that they are the more likely to do them again.”
Irene’s great-grandmother spoke these assuring words of comfort to Irene after Irene made a mistake and felt horrible about it. Irene was comforted knowing that she is able to learn from her mistakes in life.
“Because every little girl is a princess. ‘What do you mean by a princess?’ ‘The daughter of a king.’”
This beautiful quote can be found at the beginning of the story when the narrator is speaking. George McDonald’s spiritual connection with his writing is evident here. The King he is speaking of is the One found above.

The miner boy, Curdie, changed the most throughout The Princess and the Goblin.

Princess Irene stayed true to herself, while Curdie underwent a change for the better. He learned the most important lesson found in the story: believing and seeing do not always have to go hand in hand. Curdie’s mother influenced his change of heart when she enlightened him by saying, “Perhaps some people can see things that other people can’t see.” Irene also influenced Curdie by showing him what believing wholeheartedly in something physically looks like.

Curdie’s mother, a minor character, played a major role in the essential theme of The Princess and the Goblin. She impacted Curdie tremendously by questioning his doubt. Without her, the plot would not have unfolded the way it did. It took Curdie a very long time to finally believe the princess about her great-grandmother’s magic, and had his mother played no part in his reasoning, he would have never believed. The major theme of belief would not be fully demonstrated to the reader without Curdie’s mother.

The major theme from The Princess and the Goblin is having faith in the unseen. In the story, Curdie couldn’t physically see Irene’s great-grandmother, but he saw the impact that she had in Irene’s life. He witnessed firsthand the guiding role that she played in the princess’ overall well-being. This analogy is similar to the way that God Himself is not visible to us, but His blessings and His guiding hand

are.
“People must believe what they can, and those who believe more must not be hard upon those who believe less. I doubt if you would have believed it all yourself if you hadn't seen some of it.” 'Ah! Yes, grandmother, I dare say. I'm sure you are right. But he'll believe now.' 'I don't know that,' replied her grandmother.
This paragraph contributes greatly to the overall theme of the book and the lesson that Irene learned from her grandmother about patience. Irene took it personally when Curdie didn’t believe her, and Irene had to accept the fact that it was going to take Curdie longer than it took her to believe in the unseen. The princess’ innocence led her to confusion and bewilderment as to the reason why this was the case, and her grandmother explained. It was a process for both of the children to understand each other, and the guidance from Great-Grandmother Irene was much needed. Some people in life never “come around”, but thankfully Curdie did.