The Princess and the Goblin · Chapter
The Hall of the Goblin Palace explained
Curdie follows the goblin family through underground passages to the magnificent hall of the goblin palace, where he overhears the king and chancellor discussing plans for revenge against the humans.
What happens
Curdie follows the goblin family through underground passages to the magnificent hall of the goblin palace, where he overhears the king and chancellor discussing plans for revenge against the humans. He learns of a plot involving water and a potential flood, and decides to keep the passage open to discover more, then returns home to inform his father.
Themes in this chapter
Courage vs. Fear
Curdie shows courage by following the goblins into their palace and risking discovery to learn their plans.
Deception and Appearance
The goblins' palace hall appears magnificent but hides their malicious intentions; Curdie and his father plan to deceive the goblins by pretending to continue mining.
Characters to notice
- Curdie
Follows the goblins to their palace hall, overhears their plans, and decides to keep the passage open for further investigation.
- Helfer
Seen carrying a heavy chest as part of the goblin family's retreat.
- Glump
The goblin who reports to the king about the thin partition and the river, providing key information about the flood plot.
- Peter Peterson
Curdie's father, who listens to Curdie's story and agrees to stop working the lode while pretending to continue.
Key passages
“He would not betray himself by rekindling his lamp, but the torches of the retreating company, which he found departing in a straight line up a long avenue from the door of their cave, threw back light enough to afford him a glance round the deserted home of the goblins.”
Curdie did not light his lamp to avoid detection, but the torches of the departing goblins provided enough light for him to see their abandoned cave.
Curdie uses caution to remain hidden while observing the goblins.
“The information which the worthy Glump has given us might have been of considerable import at the present moment, but for that other design already referred to, which naturally takes precedence.”
The chancellor says Glump's news would be important, but another plan is more urgent.
The goblins have multiple schemes against the humans.