In the excerpt from The Princess and the Goblin, the contrasting perspectives of Princess Irene and her nurse highlight the themes of belief, innocence, and misunderstanding. Irene is earnest and distressed by the nurse's disbelief regarding her encounter with the mysterious lady, feeling a profound sense of betrayal when she exclaims, "But it's quite true, I tell you." This demonstrates her conviction and the significance of her experience, revealing her childlike innocence and desire for validation. In contrast, the nurse embodies a pragmatic viewpoint, dismissing Irene's claims as mere make-believe, as seen when she states, "I know princesses are in the habit of telling make-believes." This cold response indicates her skepticism and strict adherence to reality, which leaves her vexed with Irene's emotional turmoil. The author's use of dialogue effectively conveys these differing perspectives, with Irene's heartfelt pleas juxtaposed against the nurse's reproachful remarks, such as, "Indeed I have other work to do. It's your dinnertime, and I won't have any more such nonsense." Additionally, the narrative shows the nurse's internal conflict and affection for Irene as she reflects on her own crossness, suggesting that her inability to believe Irene stems from societal expectations rather than a lack of love. Ultimately, the passage portrays how each character's perspective affects their relationship, as Irene chooses to forgive the nurse's disbelief, saying, "I will not be vexed with you any more," highlighting her inherent kindness despite the hurt caused by the misunderstanding.
Read the following excerpt from The Princess and the Goblin by George Macdonald. Then, respond to the prompt that follows.
"You don't believe me, then!" exclaimed the princess, astonished and angry, as she well might be.
"Did you expect me to believe you, princess?" asked the nurse coldly. "I know princesses are in the habit of telling make-believes, but you are the first I ever heard of who expected to have them believed," she added, seeing that the child was strangely in earnest.
The princess burst into tears.
"Well, I must say," remarked the nurse, now thoroughly vexed with her for crying, "it is not at all becoming in a princess to tell stories and expect to be believed just because she is a princess."
"But it's quite true, I tell you."
"You've dreamt it, then, child."
"No, I didn't dream it. I went upstairs, and I lost myself, and if I hadn't found the beautiful lady, I should never have found myself."
"Oh, I dare say!"
"Well, you just come up with me, and see if I'm not telling the truth."
"Indeed I have other work to do. It's your dinnertime, and I won't have any more such nonsense."
The princess wiped her eyes, and her face grew so hot that they were soon quite dry. She sat down to her dinner, but ate next to nothing. Not to be believed does not at all agree with princesses: for a real princess cannot tell a lie. So all the afternoon she did not speak a word. Only when the nurse spoke to her, she answered her, for a real princess is never rude—even when she does well to be offended.
Of course the nurse was not comfortable in her mind—not that she suspected the least truth in Irene's story, but that she loved her dearly, and was vexed with herself for having been cross to her. She thought her crossness was the cause of the princess's unhappiness, and had no idea that she was really and deeply hurt at not being believed. But, as it became more and more plain during the evening in her every motion and look, that, although she tried to amuse herself with her toys, her heart was too vexed and troubled to enjoy them, her nurse's discomfort grew and grew. When bedtime came, she undressed and laid her down, but the child, instead of holding up her little mouth to be kissed, turned away from her and lay still. Then nursie's heart gave way altogether, and she began to cry. At the sound of her first sob the princess turned again, and held her face to kiss her as usual. But the nurse had her handkerchief to her eyes, and did not see the movement.
"Nursie," said the princess, "why won't you believe me?"
"Because I can't believe you," said the nurse, getting angry again.
"Ah! then, you can't help it," said Irene, "and I will not be vexed with you any more. I will give you a kiss and go to sleep."
"You little angel!" cried the nurse, and caught her out of bed, and walked about the room with her in her arms, kissing and hugging her.
In a well-developed paragraph of at least 5 sentences, explain the differing perspectives of Irene and Nursie and how the author develops these perspectives in this passage. Use evidence from the text to support your response.
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