| Princess Irene | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real name |
Irene |
|
First appearance |
The Princess and the Goblin (1872) |
|
Original publisher |
Strahan & Co. |
|
Created by |
George MacDonald |
Origin[]
Princess Irene is the young heroine of George MacDonald’s 1872 fantasy novel The Princess and the Goblin. She is about eight years old, a royal child who lives in a secluded mountain castle. Her mother is dead, her father (the King) is often absent attending to state affairs, so much of her care is by her nursemaid Lootie.
Despite her privileged and sheltered, lonely status, Irene is portrayed as innocent, curious, and kind-hearted rather than spoiled. Her courage and sense of wonder drives her to explore the castle, venturing where she is not supposed to and discovering hidden doors. Early in the tale, she finds her magical great-great-grandmother, an ethereal, fairy-like woman who lives unseen in the uppermost tower of the castle. She gifts Irene with a magical ring and an invisible thread that will aid her in perilous situations — though it only works if she believes in it.
Irene's bravery and moral strength is soon put to the test when she ventures into the goblins' subterranean kingdom to help her friend Curdie, the young miner who had rescued her earlier from the same goblins. Through her innocence and faith, she learns to overcome the underground darkness and the goblin's deceitful tactics by placing her trust in her invisible guidance (the thread) and the unseen, rather than her own perception. By the end of the story, Irene grows from a sheltered, naive and fearful child toward a more mature, faithful and courageous heroine.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Princess and the Goblin (1872)
- The Princess and Curdie (1883)
Public Domain Stageplay Appearances[]
- The Princess and the Goblin (1926)