Princess and the Goblin

Darkness versus the Light

The Princess and the Goblin is a story of a young girl’s journey through a search of her spiritual maturity. The grandmother and the goblins are very significant figures in the book. The grandmother who shines her bright light that leads her pigeons home represent the light, the spiritual guidance that Irene looks upon when she feels lost and afraid. The faith and belief she has developed guides her through the caves in search of Curdie. Curdie and Lootie who do not believe are not able to see the grandmother. The concept mentioned in class about “seeing is believing” fits in part with religion where some people must have idols or a statue with the religious figure in order to worship. However, the grandmother states that as long as you believe then you are able to see. There is no need to see everything all the time but you must believe that it is there and only then will you be able to see. At one point in the story Irene starts to think of Grandmother as only a dream in which this case she is unable to find her when she climbs the stairs. To understand the search of spiritual guidance in Irene’s adventure helps the reader interpret the necessity it is for her. Her grandmother is the light. The goblins on the other hand are the dark, evil underground. They only come out at night and hate the new arts that are mentioned. They represent the darkness that we tend to life like at some points. The darkness leaves us feeling lost and uncertain of what to expect. Could it be that Curdie gets lost in the caves because he has lost his own direction? By Irene leading him out of the cave, she is his light, in some ways. She is the one that helps him find his direction and get through the troubles he faces amongst the goblins. The princess and the Goblins is a story filled with many symbols that take in part of the need for spiritual healing.