The Princess and Curdie · Theme
Corruption of Power
How The Princess and Curdie develops Corruption of Power.
The king's court and the city of Gwyntystorm become corrupt when self-interest and greed replace loyalty and service. The doctor, the butler, and the magistrate abuse their positions for personal gain, and the final king's obsession with mining gold leads to the city's destruction.
Where it surfaces
- XVII: The Wine-Cellar
The butler's secret poisoning of the wine represents the abuse of trust and position within the palace, a sign of the moral decay in Gwyntystorm.
- XXII: The Lord Chamberlain
The lord chamberlain and doctor conspire to manipulate the king for their own ends.
- XXIII: Dr. Kelman
The doctor abuses his position to poison the king, and the court's negligence reflects systemic corruption.
- The Prophecy
The servants abuse their positions, stealing and lying, and the doctor's misuse of his role is highlighted.
- The Vengeance
The servants abuse their positions, stealing and wasting the king's property, and are punished for their corruption.
- XXVII: More Vengeance
The courtiers' conspiracy to seize power and their subsequent punishment highlight the dangers of corrupt authority.
- XXVIII: The Preacher
The clergy and citizens of Gwyntystorm abuse their authority, leading to injustice and chaos.
- Barbara
The lord chancellor's plot to invite invasion demonstrates how those in power can betray their own kingdom for personal gain.
- The End
The new king's greed for gold leads to the destruction of Gwyntystorm, showing how power corrupts.