The Princess and Curdie · Chapter
XXVII: More Vengeance explained
Curdie, having secured the palace, brings the avenging creatures to the servants' hall to feast and then orders a thorough cleaning.
What happens
Curdie, having secured the palace, brings the avenging creatures to the servants' hall to feast and then orders a thorough cleaning. He then deals with the treacherous courtiers: the secretary is terrorized by Lina, the lord chamberlain is trapped in a twisted silver bed by the legserpent, the master of the horse is subdued by the tapir, and the attorney-general is bound by a giant spider. The remaining courtiers are expelled from the palace, and Derba is appointed chatelaine to serve the king.
Themes in this chapter
Good vs. Evil
Curdie's actions represent the triumph of good over the corrupt courtiers.
Corruption of Power
The courtiers' conspiracy to seize power and their subsequent punishment highlight the dangers of corrupt authority.
Characters to notice
- Curdie
Directs the avenging creatures and purges the palace of traitors.
- Lina
Guards the secretary, terrifying him into submission.
- Derba
Shelters the expelled courtiers and is later appointed chatelaine.
- The Doctor
Mentioned as having a crushed leg, needing no guard.
- Ballbody
Unable to clean due to his nature; Curdie wonders about his origin.
Key passages
“As soon as they were gone, Curdie brought the creatures back to the servants’ hall, and told them to eat up everything on the table.”
After the intruders left, Curdie summoned the creatures to the servants' hall and instructed them to consume all the food.
Shows Curdie's control over the avengers.
“The attorney-general had not gone to bed, but sat in a chair asleep before a great mirror.”
The attorney-general was dozing in a chair in front of a mirror, not having retired to bed.
Highlights his vanity and unpreparedness.