# VI explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

This chapter introduces Agnes, a shepherd's daughter who has been spoiled by her parents' excessive praise, leading to a deep-seated self-conceit. The wise woman observes her and recognizes the danger of her vanity, which if left unchecked, will distort her inner self. Meanwhile, the shepherdess, mistaking a starving Rosamond for her lost Agnes, takes her in out of compassion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Vanity and Self-Conceit

Agnes is consumed by self-conceit, which the wise woman sees as a disease that will distort her inner self if not cured.

### Family and Sacrificial Love

The shepherdess, grieving her own child, takes in the starving Rosamond out of compassion and a desire to rescue another's child.

## Character check-ins

### Agnes

A shepherd's daughter spoiled by her parents' praise, developing extreme self-conceit that the wise woman observes.

### Rosamond

Arrives starving and faints near the shepherd's cottage; mistaken for Agnes but taken in by the shepherdess.

### The Princess

Referenced in comparison to Agnes, noted for her rages and selfishness.

## Key lines

> For there is no fault that does not bring its brothers and sisters and cousins to live with it.

Every flaw attracts other related flaws to accompany it.

_Illustrates how self-conceit leads to other vices._

> she would be one of those who kneel to their own shadows till feet grow on their knees; then go down on their hands till their hands grow into feet; then lay their faces on the ground till they grow into snouts; when at last they are a hideous sort of lizards, each of which believes himself the best, wisest, and loveliest being in the world, yea, the very centre of the universe.

She would become like a creature that worships its own reflection, gradually deforming into a lizard-like being that still considers itself the center of everything.

_A vivid metaphor for the ultimate degradation caused by unchecked vanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters