# The Escape explained — The Princess and the Goblin

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

## What happens

Curdie and Princess Irene escape from the goblins' underground domain, guided by Irene's magical thread from her grandmother. Along the way, Curdie steals the goblin queen's shoe, revealing her six toes, and they emerge safely into the palace garden. Irene tries to convince Curdie of the thread's reality, but he remains skeptical. She then leads him to meet her grandmother to prove her truthfulness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Trust and Belief

Irene insists Curdie believe in her grandmother's thread; Curdie remains skeptical despite the successful escape.

### Courage vs. Fear

Irene and Curdie face the goblin king and queen, extinguish the torch, and flee through a narrow passage.

### Deception and Appearance

Curdie steals the queen's shoe, revealing her six toes—a hidden truth beneath appearances.

## Character check-ins

### Curdie

Escapes with Irene, steals the goblin queen's shoe, remains skeptical of the magic thread.

### Princess Irene

Leads the escape using her grandmother's thread, insists on its reality, wants Curdie to believe her.

### The Old Lady

Referenced as Irene's grandmother; her thread guides them; Irene wants Curdie to meet her.

### Lootie

Mentioned as having been left asleep; Irene hopes she won't get into trouble.

### The King

Mentioned as Irene's father; she recalls sitting with him in the garden.

### Glump

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Harelip

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Helfer

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Mrs. Peterson

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### The Captain

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Sir Walter

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Nursie

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

### Mrs. Housekeeper

Not directly present; no mention in excerpts.

## Key lines

> I feel nothing at all

Curdie cannot sense the magical thread that Irene insists is there.

_Highlights the theme of belief versus skepticism._

> Then you must believe without seeing

Irene tells Curdie that faith is necessary when evidence is lacking.

_Emphasizes the theme of trust and belief._

> I can't deny we are out of the mountain, and I should be very ungrateful indeed to deny that you had brought me out of it.

Curdie acknowledges Irene's role in their escape but still doubts the thread's existence.

_Shows Curdie's partial acceptance and ongoing skepticism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_princess_and_the_goblin_se/chapters/xxi-the-escape
- 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