The Princess and Curdie · Character

Peter

Curdie's father, a hard-handed miner who gives his son up to a strange lady's errand with tears in his eyes and no complaint.

supporting

Also known as Peter the miner

First appearance: IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother

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

Curdie's father, a miner who works with his son in the mountain.

In the storyThe MountainOpen this moment free

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Peter is a working man whose honesty is so plain that a princess takes his horny hand and calls him friend. When she asks him to give up Curdie for a while, he answers only that it will not matter much so long as the…

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

See Peter in IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Family and Official Corruption
Mystical and Corrupt Forces
Allies and Antagonists
Protagonist

+6 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…

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Relationships

Curdie
family · positive
Peter is Curdie's father, and they share a loving, supportive father-son relationship. How this plays out →
Curdie
family · positive
Peter is Curdie's father, and they share a loving, supportive father-son relationship. How this plays out →
Curdie
family · positive
Peter is Curdie's father, and they share a loving, supportive father-son relationship. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Peter in IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother

In the story

Peter appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Mountain
Curdie's father, a miner who works with his son in the mountain.
II: The White Pigeon
Curdie's father, mentioned as a man who would rather doubt his own eyes than his wife's testimony, but not directly present in this chapter.
IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother
Curdie's father, who listens and supports his wife's counsel, affirming that Curdie must keep his promise.
V: The Miners
Questions the miners' assumptions about Old Mother Wotherwop, suggesting she might be an angel, and supports Curdie by walking home with him.
VI: The Emerald
Accompanies Curdie in following the mysterious light.
VII: What Is in a Name?
Learns that he and his wife have royal blood and that his poverty has been a privilege arranged by the Lady.
VIII: Curdie's Mission
Meets Curdie on the path, discusses aging and dignity, and is later entrusted with the magical emerald.
IX: Hands
Listens to Curdie's account, expresses skepticism but supports his wife's inner nobility, and gives Curdie a stick for his journey.
XVIII: The King’s Kitchen
Referenced in Curdie's memory for his advice about wanting to do right.
XXX: Peter
Peter notices the emerald's color fading and rushes to the king's house, only to find it deserted. He then heads to Gwyntystorm to find Curdie.
The Battle
Appears as a miner and defends the maid, striking down the general's horse.
Judgment
Tells his tale to Curdie, is appointed general of all the king's mines.
The End
Brings miners to Gwyntystorm, discovers a gem cavern, and builds a home above the city.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Peter in IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother

See Peter in The Mountain