A Little Princess · Character

Ermengarde St. John

A plodding, good-hearted pupil who dreads her lessons and her father alike, and finds in Sara's storytelling the one hour of her dull life that sparkles.

supporting

Also known as Ermengarde

First appearance: ii a french lesson

As a supporting figure in A Little Princess, Ermengarde St. John is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A student who is more entertaining than she first seemed.

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Ermengarde is the school's dunce, embarrassed by her own slowness and by a father who prefers his library to her company. Sara's tales of India and dolls who walk when humans leave the room open a door in her imagination she never knew existed. When Sara asks whether she loves her father more than anything, Ermengarde's stammered confession exposes the emotional distance in her own home — and makes her quiet loyalty to Sara feel earned rather than sentimental.

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See Ermengarde St. John in ii a french lesson

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Ermengarde St. John sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Sara's inner circle
Background and peripheral figures
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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In the story

Ermengarde St. John appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Whole of the Story
A student who is more entertaining than she first seemed.
A Little Princess
A fellow student who becomes Sara's friend, struggling with her studies.
Ermengarde
Ermengarde is a slow, good-natured girl who is awed by Sara's cleverness and imagination, and becomes her friend.
Lottie
Ermengarde is Sara's friend and confidante, with whom Sara discusses her thoughts on character and trials.
The Diamond-Mines
Delights in Sara's stories about the diamond mines and is asked to be a princess but declines, saying she is too fat.
The Diamond-Mines Again
Expresses dismay that Sara's birthday gift includes books, but joins in the excitement over the Last Doll.
In the Attic
Returns from a visit and awkwardly encounters Sara, failing to express sympathy properly, leading Sara to feel hurt and misunderstood.
Melchisedec
Ermengarde visits Sara in the attic, learns about Melchisedec, and participates in the secret knock communication with Becky.
The Other Side of the Wall
Ermengarde discusses her relatives with Sara, expressing dislike for their constant questions.
The Magic
Visits Sara in the attic; learns of Sara's hunger; brings a box of food from her aunt to share.
I Tried Not to Be
Ermengarde appears at the end with a letter, showing excitement and shock about the events.
Anne
Mentioned among those who gather to rejoice with Sara.

Chapter companion notes

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See Ermengarde St. John in ii a french lesson

See Ermengarde St. John in The Whole of the Story