# The Goblins explained — The Princess and the Goblin

> Chapter companion for The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Curdie, working late in the mine, overhears a goblin family discussing their plans and the nature of goblin society. He discovers a thin wall separating him from their dwelling and begins to enlarge a hole, learning about goblin weaknesses (their soft feet) and their disdain for human customs. The goblins prepare to leave for a palace meeting, and Curdie resolves to follow them to uncover their evil design.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

Curdie hides and eavesdrops, while goblins discuss the deceptive nature of human light and the queen's shoes as a symbol of false superiority.

### Social Class and Prejudice

Goblin family debates the queen's shoes and the first queen's origins, highlighting prejudice between goblins and humans.

### Perseverance and Hard Work

Curdie continues mining diligently, even after a long day, and works to enlarge the hole to spy on the goblins.

## Character check-ins

### Curdie

Works in the mine, overhears goblins, and begins to spy on them.

### Helfer

Goblin child who feels Curdie's hand through the wall and complains about his feet.

### Glump

Goblin father who organizes the family's departure and discusses goblin history.

### Harelip

Goblin mother who speaks about the queen's shoes and the first queen.

## Key lines

> What a distinction it is, to provide our own light, instead of being dependent on a thing hung up in the air—a most disagreeable contrivance—intended no doubt to blind us when we venture out under its baleful influence!

The goblin father boasts about their ability to make their own light, criticizing the sun as a blinding and vulgar invention for humans.

_Highlights goblin pride and their disdain for human ways._

> I once saw the queen’s feet. ... they had toes !

The goblin father reveals that the queen has toes, which is unusual for goblins and suggests her human-like traits.

_Emphasizes the physical difference between goblins and humans, and the queen's ambiguous origin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_the_goblin_se/chapters/viii-the-goblins
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_the_goblin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_the_goblin_se/chapters