The Princess and the Goblin · Chapter
XI: The Old Lady’s Bedroom explained
Princess Irene, feeling dreary during autumn and winter, accidentally pricks her thumb on a brooch, causing swelling and pain.
What happens
Princess Irene, feeling dreary during autumn and winter, accidentally pricks her thumb on a brooch, causing swelling and pain. Unable to sleep, she wanders the house at night and climbs the old staircase, determined to find her great-great-grandmother again. She reaches the tower room where the old lady is spinning spider-silk thread by moonlight. The old lady explains that Irene could not find her sooner because she had begun to think she was a dream, and instructs Irene to return in a week. Irene falls asleep in her arms and wakes in her own bed, her hand completely healed.
Themes in this chapter
Trust and Belief
Irene's journey to find the old lady hinges on her willingness to believe she is real, not just a dream.
Wisdom and Guidance
The old lady provides gentle guidance, explaining why Irene couldn't find her and setting a trial for her return.
Characters to notice
- Princess Irene
Feeling lonely and dreary, she pricks her thumb, wanders the house at night, and successfully finds her great-great-grandmother in the tower.
- The Old Lady
Spinning spider-silk thread by moonlight in her tower room; she explains why Irene couldn't find her sooner and sets a trial for Irene to return in a week.
- Lootie
Mentioned as the nurse who would not believe in the old lady; Irene avoids waking her.
- Mrs. Housekeeper
Shows Irene old treasures from a cabinet; alarmed when Irene pricks her thumb.
Key passages
““If she is a dream,” she said to herself, “then I am the likelier to find her, if I am dreaming.””
Irene reasons that if the old lady is only a dream, she is more likely to encounter her while dreaming.
Irene's logic reflects her struggle between belief and doubt.
““I am spinning this for you, my child.””
The old lady reveals that the spider-silk thread she is spinning is intended for Irene.
Foreshadows the magical thread's future importance.
““if that light were to go out you would fancy yourself lying in a bare garret, on a heap of old straw, and would not see one of the pleasant things round about you all the time.””
The old lady warns that without the special light, Irene would perceive the room as a barren attic with straw.
Highlights the theme of perception and reality.