The Princess and Curdie · Character

Barbara

A young girl of Gwyntystorm with an uncanny sense of where the old princess has gone, her small kindnesses threading through the city's darkness.

supporting

Also known as Barbara Meantime, Little Barbara, little Barbara, XXIX Barbara

First appearance: XV: Derba and Barbara

As a supporting figure in The Princess and Curdie, Barbara is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The brave little girl who approaches Curdie and Lina, leads them to her grandmother's house, and rides on Lina.

In the storyXIV: The Dogs of GwyntystormOpen this moment free

See Barbara in XIV: The Dogs of Gwyntystorm Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Little Barbara is one of the few people in Gwyntystorm who seems to know, when no one else has a notion, whither the mysterious old princess has vanished — a sign of her quiet attunement to hidden things. She shows kindness to Curdie in a city that has forgotten hospitality, and her loyalty places her among the humble few whose goodness the story quietly rewards. She matters because she represents the remnant of decency in Gwyntystorm, the ordinary souls whose faithfulness makes the city worth saving at all.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Barbara sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Barbara in XV: Derba and Barbara

Character Web

8 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Allies and Antagonists
Family and Official Corruption
Loyal and Corrupt Court
Protagonist

+3 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 dramatic climax because it marks the decisive reversal where the king, previously isolated and bet…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Curdie
friendship · positive
Barbara is a kind and supportive figure who aids Curdie during his time in the city. How this plays out →
Curdie
friendship · positive
Barbara is a kind and supportive figure who aids Curdie during his time in the city. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Barbara in XV: Derba and Barbara

In the story

Barbara appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIV: The Dogs of Gwyntystorm
The brave little girl who approaches Curdie and Lina, leads them to her grandmother's house, and rides on Lina.
XV: Derba and Barbara
Sits on Curdie's knee, listens to his stories, and is protected by her grandmother.
Barbara
Her presence calms the king's nightmares and she becomes his playmate.
Judgment
Sits on the king's left hand at supper.
The End
Knows when the queen is with the Uglies in the wood.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Barbara unlock in the free preview.

See Barbara in XV: Derba and Barbara

See Barbara in XIV: The Dogs of Gwyntystorm