The Princess and Curdie · Chapter
II: The White Pigeon explained
Curdie, growing older and more skeptical, has become less attentive to the wonders of the upper world.
What happens
Curdie, growing older and more skeptical, has become less attentive to the wonders of the upper world. One evening, he shoots a white pigeon with his arrow, but as it lies wounded in his hands, its gaze fills him with remorse. He remembers the white pigeon that flew from the grandmother's lamp when the princess left, and fears he has killed that very bird. As darkness falls, a great globe of light shines from above the castle, and the pigeon flutters, prompting Curdie to run with it toward the castle, hoping it is not dead.
Themes in this chapter
Perception vs. Reality
Curdie's growing doubt about the existence of the great-great-grandmother and the white pigeon reflects the theme of trusting only what one sees, contrasted with the reality of the bird's suffering and the mysterious light.
Growth and Maturity
Curdie's physical growth is accompanied by a mental stagnation, and his act of cruelty marks a regression from his former self, but the remorse he feels signals a potential for growth.
The Natural World and the Divine
The white pigeon, a creature of the air, is associated with the divine grandmother's lamp, and Curdie's violence against it disrupts the harmony of the natural world, leading to a moment of spiritual awakening.
Characters to notice
- Curdie
Growing more skeptical and less attentive to the wonders of the world; his act of shooting the pigeon triggers a deep remorse and a turning point in his character.
- Princess Irene
Mentioned in memory; her stories about her great-great-grandmother and the white pigeon are recalled by Curdie, linking her to the current event.
- The White Pigeon
Shot by Curdie, it looks at him with questioning eyes, causing his repentance; possibly the same pigeon that flew from the grandmother's lamp.
- Peter
Curdie's father, mentioned as a man who would rather doubt his own eyes than his wife's testimony, but not directly present in this chapter.
Key passages
“He was gradually changing into a commonplace man.”
He was slowly becoming an ordinary person, losing his sense of wonder.
Highlights Curdie's loss of imagination and connection to the world.
“The child is not meant to die, but to be forever fresh-born.”
The inner child should never be lost but should be continually renewed.
Emphasizes the theme of growth and the importance of retaining innocence.
“He had done the thing that was contrary to gladness; he was a destroyer!”
He had committed an act that brought sorrow, making him a bringer of destruction.
Shows Curdie's realization of his wrongdoing and his remorse.