# The Avengers explained — The Princess and Curdie

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

## What happens

Curdie prepares for a potential assault on the king's chamber, growing anxious as no one from the court has visited. He leaves to check on Lina, who has gathered forty-nine creatures from the wood to aid them. They work together to enlarge a hole and create a bridge to move the creatures into the cellar. Curdie then finds a new route to the king's chamber through the colonel's room, and warns the servants one last time before returning to the princess.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good vs. Evil

The chapter depicts the gathering of Curdie's forces (the creatures) to oppose the evil forces threatening the king.

### Sacrifice and Service

Curdie risks his safety to protect the king, and the housemaid shows bravery and loyalty despite the danger to herself.

## Character check-ins

### Curdie

Anxious about the king's safety, he orchestrates the movement of the creatures into the cellar and finds a new route to the king's chamber.

### Lina

Successfully gathered the forty-nine creatures from the wood and helps guide them through the passage.

### Princess Irene

Stays with the king, expressing fear at the unusual stillness and darkness.

### The Servants

The housemaid helps Curdie, having been imprisoned for her loyalty. She shows him a secret way to the king's chamber.

### The Colonel

Found asleep in his room, Curdie recognizes him as a good and honest man by the feel of his hand.

## Key lines

> There was nothing now to be dreaded from Dr. Kelman, but it made Curdie anxious, as the evening drew near, to think that not a soul belonging to the court had been to visit the king, or ask how he did, that day.

Although Dr. Kelman was no longer a threat, Curdie worried that the court's neglect of the king signaled a more serious attack was coming.

_Highlights Curdie's growing concern for the king's safety._

> The place was swarming with creatures—animal forms wilder and more grotesque than ever ramped in nightmare dream.

The dungeon was full of strange and terrifying creatures that Lina had gathered.

_Describes the arrival of the creatures who will serve as avengers._

> His heart beat for joy, for he had found a good, honest human hand.

Curdie was relieved and happy to find that the colonel was a trustworthy person.

_Shows Curdie's ability to judge character by touch._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxv-the-avengers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters