# The Giant's Heart explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Tricksey-Wee and Buffy-Bob, two children from the common country, accidentally wander into Giantland and enter the home of the giant Thunderthump and his wife Doodlem. While hiding in a broom, they overhear the giant reveal that he has hidden his heart with a she-eagle for safekeeping. The children escape through a tree and encounter an owl, whom Tricksey-Wee asks about the eagle's location.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Sacrificial Love

Tricksey-Wee's concern for her brother Buffy-Bob after he runs away demonstrates familial love and the willingness to risk danger for a family member.

### Suffering and Divine Chastening

The giant's anxiety about his hidden heart and the threat of harm to it reflect a form of suffering and consequence for his cruel actions.

## Character check-ins

### Tricksey Wee

A brave and curious girl who teases her brother Buffy-Bob, then searches for him in the wood. She enters the giant's house, speaks with the giantess, and later asks the owl about the giant's heart.

### Buffy Bob

Tricksey-Wee's brother, who boxes her ear and runs into the wood. He is found by Tricksey and joins her in escaping the giant's house, often responding with 'All right.'

### Thunderthump

The giant who eats little children and has hidden his heart with a she-eagle. He discusses the heart's location with his wife Doodlem.

### Doodlem

The giantess, wife of Thunderthump. She darning stockings and warns Tricksey-Wee to flee before her husband returns. She advises the giant about hiding his heart.

### Fairy

The owl encountered by the children in the tree. It sings a song and hisses when Tricksey asks about the eagle and the giant's heart.

## Key lines

> I don’t feel quite comfortable about that heart of mine.

The giant expresses unease about the safety of his hidden heart.

_Reveals the giant's vulnerability and the central plot device._

> The great she-eagle has got it for a nest egg. She sits on it night and day, and thinks she will bring the greatest eagle out of it that ever sharpened his beak on the rocks of Mount Skycrack.

The giant explains that a female eagle guards his heart, believing it will hatch into a mighty eagle.

_Key information about the heart's location and the danger of disturbing it._

> Run away, dear little girl, as fast as you can; for my husband will be home in a few minutes.

The giantess warns Tricksey-Wee to flee because the giant is returning.

_Shows the giantess's protective instinct despite her husband's nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-giant-s-heart
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters