The Princess and Curdie · Chapter
XXI: The Loaf explained
Curdie, having escaped the dungeon with Lina's help, retrieves a loaf of bread from the baker's shop and sends it to Princess Irene via Lina.
What happens
Curdie, having escaped the dungeon with Lina's help, retrieves a loaf of bread from the baker's shop and sends it to Princess Irene via Lina. Irene feeds the bread and wine to the king, who begins to recover. Dr. Kelman is puzzled and annoyed by the improvement. Irene tells the king that Curdie has arrived and will visit him at night, sent by her great-great-grandmother.
Themes in this chapter
Faith and Trust
Irene trusts Curdie and her great-great-grandmother's plan, and the king trusts Irene's words about Curdie.
Good vs. Evil
Curdie and Irene work against the corrupt servants and Dr. Kelman, who are trying to harm the king.
Characters to notice
- Curdie
Escapes the dungeon, retrieves the loaf, and sends it to Irene via Lina.
- Lina
Helps Curdie escape, carries the loaf to Irene, and watches over Curdie in the cellar.
- Princess Irene
Receives the loaf, feeds the king, and tells him about Curdie's arrival.
- Dr. Kelman
Visits the king and is annoyed and puzzled by his improvement.
- The King
Begins to recover after eating the bread and wine, and expresses a desire to take matters into his own hands.
Key passages
“Using every shadow and every shelter, Lina slid through the servants like a shapeless terror through a guilty mind, and so, by corridor and great hall, up the stair to the king’s chamber.”
Lina moved stealthily, using shadows and cover, slipping past the servants like a frightening presence in a guilty conscience, and made her way through the corridors and great hall to the king's room.
Highlights Lina's stealth and the guilt of the servants.
“The king ate and drank, enjoyed the bread and the wine much, and instantly fell asleep again.”
The king ate and drank, relishing the bread and wine, and immediately fell back asleep.
Shows the king's positive response to the food.