# XII explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The wise woman subjects Princess Rosamond to a series of moral trials designed to test her self-control and virtue. In the first trial, Rosamond fails by losing her temper and striking her nurse with a rabbit; in the second, she fails again by drowning a little boy out of jealousy over a flower. After fleeing through a haunted wood and returning to the cottage, the wise woman explains that true princess-hood means mastering one's own moods and doing what is right even when disinclined.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Growth and Redemption

The chapter centers on Rosamond's moral trials and the wise woman's teaching that true nobility comes from self-mastery and doing right despite one's moods.

### Vanity and Self-Conceit

Rosamond's initial confidence that she will not fail again reveals her self-conceit, which is humbled by her repeated failures.

### Suffering and Divine Chastening

Rosamond's trials and the shame she feels after failing serve as a form of chastening meant to purify her character.

## Character check-ins

### Rosamond

Undergoes two moral trials, failing both due to anger and jealousy; later flees through a wood and returns to the wise woman for further instruction.

### The Princess

Referred to as the princess throughout; Rosamond is the princess in this context.

## Key lines

> so, the evil mood will wither and die, and leave her loving and clean.

Thus, a bad temper will fade away and leave a person kind and pure.

_The wise woman explains the transformative power of doing right despite one's mood._

> A princess is able to do what is right even should she unhappily be in a mood that would make another unable to do it.

A true princess can act rightly even when she feels cross or angry, unlike others who might fail in such a mood.

_The wise woman defines true royalty as moral self-control._

## Links

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