A Little Princess · Chapter
Ermengarde explained
Sara meets Ermengarde St.
What happens
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological low point where Sara’s re…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Imagination and Storytelling
Sara shares her imaginative world with Ermengarde, including the idea that dolls can walk and talk when no one is watching.
- Resilience and Inner Strength
Sara hides her grief over her father's departure and resolves to bear it bravely, like a soldier.
- Kindness and Empathy
Sara feels sorry for Ermengarde when she is mocked and reaches out to befriend her.
Characters to notice
- Sara Crewe
Sara befriends Ermengarde, shares her imaginative stories, and reveals her pain over her father's departure.
- Ermengarde St. John
Ermengarde is a slow, good-natured girl who is awed by Sara's cleverness and imagination, and becomes her friend.
- Emily
Sara's doll, whom she treats as a living companion and introduces to Ermengarde.
- Miss Minchin
Miss Minchin scolds Ermengarde for her inattentive behavior during the French lesson.
- Lavinia Herbert
Lavinia giggles at Ermengarde's poor French pronunciation.
- Jessie
Jessie titters along with Lavinia at Ermengarde's mistakes.
Key passages
“Have you never pretended things?”
Sara asks Ermengarde if she has ever used her imagination to pretend.
Sara introduces Ermengarde to the concept of imaginative play.
“I love mine more than all the world ten times over. That is what my pain is. He has gone away.”
Sara confesses that her deep love for her father is the source of her sadness because he is far away.
Sara reveals her emotional vulnerability and love for her father.
“I promised him I would bear it. And I will. You have to bear things. Think what soldiers bear!”
Sara resolves to endure her pain stoically, comparing her suffering to that of a soldier.
Sara demonstrates her inner strength and determination.
