# The Prophecy explained — The Princess and Curdie

> Chapter companion for The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Curdie watches over the sleeping king, who is recovering from the doctor's influence. He tells the princess about the doctor's attempt and shows her the crown guarded by Lina. The chambermaid delivers a warning to the servants about their wicked ways, but they mock and assault her, throwing her into the wine cellar. Curdie and Irene share their life stories with the king, who begins to believe in the strange events and feels better.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good vs. Evil

Curdie and Irene work to protect the king from the doctor's evil influence, while the servants embody corruption and wickedness.

### Faith and Trust

The king begins to believe in the strange events and the truth of Curdie and Irene's stories, showing a growth in trust.

### Corruption of Power

The servants abuse their positions, stealing and lying, and the doctor's misuse of his role is highlighted.

## Character check-ins

### Curdie

Watches over the king, tells his story, and helps the princess.

### Lina

Guards the crown, sleeps with it between her paws, and is sent on an errand.

### Princess Irene

Tends to the king, listens to Curdie's account, and shares her own story.

### The Servants

Mock and assault the chambermaid for delivering a warning.

### The Doctor

Mentioned as having been expelled from the king's chamber.

### Gwyntystorm

The city where the palace is located, with corrupt servants.

## Key lines

> How has his Majesty slept?

How did the king sleep?

_Princess Irene asks about the king's condition._

> Quite quietly, answered Curdie; that is, since the doctor was got rid of.

He slept peacefully after we got rid of the doctor.

_Curdie explains that the king slept well once the doctor was gone._

> I stroked his hands, answered Curdie, and took the crown from them; and ever since he has slept quietly, and again and again smiled in his sleep.

I calmed his hands and removed the crown, and since then he has slept peacefully, even smiling.

_Curdie describes how he soothed the king and took the crown._

> You have no conception with what a roar she would spring at my throat.

You can't imagine how loudly she would roar and attack me.

_Curdie warns Irene about Lina's protective behavior._

> I must tell you, whether you believe me or not, she said.

I have to tell you, even if you don't believe me.

_The chambermaid insists on delivering her message._

> If you do not repent of your bad ways, you are all going to be punished—all turned out of the palace together.

If you don't change your evil behavior, you'll all be punished and thrown out of the palace.

_The chambermaid delivers the prophecy of punishment._

> A mighty punishment! said the butler. A good riddance, say I, of the trouble of keeping minxes like you in order!

What a punishment! I'd be glad to be rid of the trouble of managing girls like you!

_The butler scoffs at the warning._

> That you know best yourself, said the girl.

You know your own faults best.

_The chambermaid responds to each servant's question._

> They fell furiously upon her, drove her from the hall with kicks and blows, hustled her along the passage, and threw her down the stair to the wine-cellar, then locked the door at the top of it.

They attacked her violently, kicked and beat her, pushed her down the corridor, and threw her down the stairs to the wine cellar, locking the door behind her.

_The servants assault the chambermaid for her message._

> Now at last, my children, I am compelled to believe many things I could not and do not yet understand—things I used to hear, and sometimes see, as often as I visited my mother's home.

Now I am forced to believe many things I couldn't understand before, things I heard and saw at my mother's house.

_The king acknowledges his growing belief in the supernatural._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxiv-the-prophecy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters