# The Vengeance explained — The Princess and Curdie

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

## What happens

Curdie confronts the corrupt servants of Gwyntystorm, who refuse to repent. With the help of Lina and the other creatures, he drives them all out of the palace, subjecting them to a terrifying and humiliating punishment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Good vs. Evil

Curdie and his creatures represent good, purging the evil servants from the palace.

### Corruption of Power

The servants abuse their positions, stealing and wasting the king's property, and are punished for their corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Curdie

Confronts the servants, proclaims the butler a villain, and orchestrates the expulsion of the corrupt household.

### Lina

Dashes into the hall, overpowers the butler, and leads the creatures in the vengeful purge.

### The Servants

The corrupt staff of the palace, who refuse to repent and are ultimately driven out.

### Ballbody

One of the creatures, rolls through the crowd and participates in the punishment.

## Key lines

> The messenger! Pooh! What messenger?

The butler dismisses the girl's claim of a messenger, showing his contempt.

_Highlights the servants' refusal to heed warnings._

> I proclaim him a villain, and a traitor to his majesty the king.

Curdie publicly denounces the butler as a villain and traitor.

_Curdie's direct confrontation of evil._

> The truth Fear tells is not much better than her lies.

Curdie implies that confessions made out of fear are not trustworthy.

_Reflects the theme of truth and repentance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxvi-the-vengeance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters