# Love and Transcendence in Dark Princess

> Theme guide for Dark Princess by W. E. B. Du Bois.

The romance between Matthew and the Indian Princess Kautilya transcends racial and national boundaries, offering a vision of spiritual and emotional liberation that contrasts with the harsh realities of the world.

## Where it surfaces

- [Dark Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/dark-princess): The meeting with Kautilya in Berlin hints at a cross-cultural romance that transcends racial and national boundaries.
- [Part I: The Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-i-the-exile): Matthew's growing admiration for Princess Kautilya and his sense of connection to her suggest a transcendent bond that crosses racial and national lines, offering a glimmer of hope amidst oppression.
- [Part III: The Chicago Politician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iii-the-chicago-politician): Matthew's marriage to Sara is transactional and devoid of passion; his memory of Kautilya represents a lost ideal of beauty and transcendence that he sold for power.
- [Part IV: The Maharajah of Bwodpur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iv-the-maharajah-of-bwodpur): The love between Matthew and Kautilya is portrayed as transcendent, but ultimately unable to overcome societal pressures and their separate callings. Their parting is a sacrifice for greater causes.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/themes/love_and_transcendence
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/themes