# On a Pincushion — Themes > Major themes in On a Pincushion by Mary De Morgan. ## Vanity and Self-Obsession The book repeatedly warns against vanity, as seen in Lamorna's narcissistic admiration of her own reflection, which leads to the theft of her image, and in the Queen's obsessive pride in her hair, which results in its loss. ### Where it surfaces - [On a Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/on-a-pincushion): The Brooch and Shawl-pin obsess over their appearance and past glory, highlighting self-importance. - [The Story of Vain Lamorna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-vain-lamorna): Lamorna's obsession with her own reflection drives the plot, leading to her punishment and eventual redemption. - [The Hair Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-hair-tree): The Queen's extreme pride in her hair leads her to refuse the eagle's request, resulting in the loss of her hair and her subsequent despair. ## Love and Sacrifice Love is portrayed as requiring sacrifice and often leads to tragedy, as in the doomed romance between the Sunbeam and Moonbeam, who perish rather than be separated, and in Erick's unrequited love for the vain Lamorna. ### Where it surfaces - [The Story of Vain Lamorna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-vain-lamorna): Erick's unwavering love and Lamorna's eventual acceptance of him despite physical changes highlight the theme of love overcoming superficiality. - [The Seeds of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-seeds-of-love): Blanchelys's love for the Prince is nurtured through the magical rose tree, and her devotion to the tree reflects the depth of her love and the sacrifices she makes. - [The Story of the Opal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-opal): The Sunbeam and Moonbeam defy cosmic enmity for love, ultimately sacrificing their lives. - [Siegfrid and Handa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/siegfrid-and-handa): Siegfrid sacrifices his eye to the Owl and risks everything to rescue Handa, demonstrating selfless love. - [A Toy Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/a-toy-princess): Ursula and Oliver's love is shown through their selfless plan to marry quietly to avoid upsetting his parents. - [Through the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/through-the-fire): Princess Pyra and Prince Fluvius risk their lives for love, and their final gift to Jack is a selfless act of gratitude and affection. ## Consequences of Greed and Discontent The villagers' greed for cheap shoes from the old peddlar brings famine, fever, and the disappearance of children, illustrating how discontent and disloyalty lead to communal ruin. ### Where it surfaces - [The Story of the Opal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-opal): The Sunbeam's discontent with his solitary existence leads to his tragic end. - [Siegfrid and Handa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/siegfrid-and-handa): The villagers' greed for cheap shoes leads to the ruin of Ralph, the spread of fever, and the disappearance of children. - [The Hair Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-hair-tree): The Queen's unwillingness to share even a little of her hair brings about the curse and her downfall. ## Appearance vs. Reality The book contrasts outer beauty with inner worth, as in the toy Princess who looks real but lacks genuine emotion, and the Brooch and Shawl-pin who judge each other by their surface qualities while ignoring their own limitations. ### Where it surfaces - [A Toy Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/a-toy-princess): The toy princess perfectly mimics Ursula's appearance, deceiving the court while the real Ursula lives a different life. - [Through the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/through-the-fire): Fireland appears beautiful with jewel-like flames and fireworks, but the Princess's deep sadness reveals a hidden sorrow beneath the dazzling surface. ## Magic and Moral Lessons Magical elements—such as the water elves, magic candles, and enchanted seeds—serve as vehicles for moral instruction, rewarding good behavior (Blanchelys) and punishing pride or greed (Lamorna, the Queen). ### Where it surfaces - [The Story of Vain Lamorna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-vain-lamorna): The water elves' magical theft of Lamorna's reflection serves as a moral lesson against vanity, with a happy resolution when she learns to value love. - [The Seeds of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-seeds-of-love): The magic candles and the rose tree serve as moral tools: good wishes bring good fairies and happiness, while wicked intentions lead to harm and jealousy. - [Siegfrid and Handa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/siegfrid-and-handa): The magical sandals, the talking animals, and the burning shoes teach the villagers the importance of honesty and community loyalty. - [The Hair Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-hair-tree): The eagle's curse, the Queen's prophetic dreams, and the quest for the magical Hair Tree all serve to teach a lesson about the dangers of excessive vanity. - [Through the Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/through-the-fire): The magic belt symbolizes the reward for Jack's bravery and kindness, teaching that good deeds are remembered and repaid. ## Social Class and Worth The pincushion objects argue about their value based on past use and appearance, while stories like 'The Seeds of Love' and 'Siegfrid and Handa' explore how true worth is tied to character and kindness, not birth or status. ### Where it surfaces - [On a Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/on-a-pincushion): The pins' complaints about being unused reflect a hierarchy of value based on material and function. - [A Toy Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/a-toy-princess): Ursula's true worth is found in the humble fisherman's home, not in the rigid, emotionless court. ## Jealousy and Rivalry Jealousy drives conflict, as seen in Zaire's resentment of Blanchelys's happiness and the Bracelets' chattering superiority over the pincushion items, highlighting how envy undermines relationships. ### Where it surfaces - [The Seeds of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-seeds-of-love): Zaire's jealousy of Blanchelys's happiness and marriage drives her to try to destroy the rose tree, highlighting the destructive nature of envy. ## Nature and the Supernatural The natural world is intertwined with supernatural beings—water elves, sun and moon fairies, and talking animals—who influence human fate, emphasizing a universe where nature and magic are deeply connected. ### Where it surfaces - [The Story of the Opal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/on_a_pincushion_se/chapters/the-story-of-the-opal): Personified Sunbeams and Moonbeams, talking birds, and the magical origin of the opal. 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