The Princess and Curdie · Chapter
XX: Counterplotting explained
Curdie and Princess Irene conspire to protect the king from the treacherous plot against him.
What happens
Curdie and Princess Irene conspire to protect the king from the treacherous plot against him. Curdie reveals his mission from the old princess, exposes Dr. Kelman as a serpent, and they plan to ensure the king receives only unpoisoned food and wine. Curdie introduces Irene to Lina, and they agree to work together to save the king.
Themes in this chapter
Good vs. Evil
Curdie and Irene stand against the evil plot of the doctor and other traitors, embodying the struggle between good and evil.
Faith and Trust
Irene must trust Curdie's revelations about Dr. Kelman, and both rely on the guidance of the old princess.
Sacrifice and Service
Curdie risks his safety to serve the king, and Irene devotes herself to her father's care, even at personal cost.
Characters to notice
- Curdie
Devises a counterplot to protect the king, using his gift to detect treachery and planning to procure safe food.
- Princess Irene
Shows deep love and care for her father, agrees to help Curdie, and bravely accepts the danger.
- The Doctor
Revealed as a serpent-like traitor, poisoning the king's wine and forbidding bread.
- Lina
Introduced to Irene, who shows kindness to the ugly creature, and is trusted to deliver messages.
- The King
Ill and under the influence of poison, but responsive to his daughter's voice.
Key passages
“Either you must beware of him, or you must doubt your grandmother and me; for I tell you, by the gift she gave me of testing hands, that this man is a snake.”
You have to choose between trusting me and your grandmother or being cautious of Dr. Kelman, because my special ability tells me he is treacherous.
Curdie asserts the truth of his claim based on his supernatural gift.
“Nothing that passes through any hand in the house except yours or mine must henceforth, till he is well, reach his majesty’s lips.”
From now on, only you or I should handle anything the king eats or drinks until he recovers.
Curdie establishes a strict rule to prevent poisoning.
“I believe, from what your grandmother told me, that Lina is a woman, and that she was naughty, but is now growing good.”
I think Lina is actually a woman who used to be bad but is now becoming good, as your grandmother hinted.
Curdie reveals Lina's true nature to Irene.