A Little Princess · Chapters

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Chapter companions for A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

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Chapter 1
The Whole of the Story
The author reflects on the untold parts of a story, explaining how the play 'A Little Princess' revealed new characters and events that were omitted from the original 'Sara Crewe'. She describes how Lottie, Becky, Ermengarde, and Melchisedec emerged from the story's shadowland, leading to this expanded version.
Chapter 2
A Little Princess
Sara Crewe, a young girl with a vivid imagination and a kind heart, is brought to Miss Minchin's Seminary for girls by her wealthy father, Captain Crewe. She is given special treatment due to her father's wealth, which creates jealousy among some students and teachers. Sara befriends Ermengarde and Lottie, and shows kindness to the scullery maid, Becky. She uses her imagination to cope with loneliness and to comfort others, often pretending to be a princess. The chapter establishes Sara's character and the dynamics at the school before her fortunes change.
Chapter 3
Sara
Sara Crewe, a seven-year-old girl, arrives in London from India with her father, Captain Crewe, to attend Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies. She is a thoughtful, imaginative child who feels older than her years. Before her father departs for India, they go on a shopping spree, buying an extravagant wardrobe and a special doll named Emily, whom Sara treats as a real companion. The chapter establishes Sara's close bond with her father and her rich inner life.
Chapter 4
A French Lesson
Sara Crewe begins her first day at Miss Minchin's Seminary. She is introduced to the schoolroom and immediately becomes the object of curiosity and envy among the other pupils, particularly Lavinia Herbert. During a French lesson, Miss Minchin assumes Sara knows no French, but Sara reveals she is fluent, having learned from her French mother. This embarrasses Miss Minchin and creates a grudge against Sara, while the other pupils are impressed by her elegance and imagination.
Chapter 5
Ermengarde
Sara meets Ermengarde St. John, a dull but good-natured girl who struggles with her lessons. Sara befriends her, shares her imaginative world, and reveals her deep love for her absent father, showing her resilience and inner strength.

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The Whole of the Story

A Little Princess

Sara

A French Lesson

Ermengarde