# Faith and Trust in The Princess and Curdie

> Theme guide for The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald.

Curdie must learn to trust the princess's grandmother and the guidance she gives, even when he cannot see or understand her fully. The book emphasizes that faith involves acting on what one believes, not on what one can prove, and that trust in the unseen is essential for doing right.

## Where it surfaces

- [III: The Mistress of the Silver Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/iii-the-mistress-of-the-silver-moon): Curdie must trust the guidance of the old princess and the spinning wheel, even when he does not fully comprehend the lessons.
- [IV: Curdie’s Father and Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/iv-curdie-s-father-and-mother): Curdie's parents encourage him to trust in the truth of his experience and to keep his promise, even when he doubts.
- [V: The Miners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/v-the-miners): Curdie's defense of the possibility that the witch's actions might be good, and his refusal to speak ill without certainty, reflects a theme of trusting in unseen goodness.
- [VII: What Is in a Name?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/vii-what-is-in-a-name): Peter and Curdie wait in darkness with unwavering faith in the Lady's return, and Curdie's trust is rewarded with deeper understanding.
- [VIII: Curdie's Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/viii-curdie-s-mission): Curdie must trust the princess's vague directions and step into the unknown, showing his faith in her guidance.
- [IX: Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/ix-hands): Curdie's parents must trust his account despite their doubts, and Curdie trusts the gift he received.
- [XI: Lina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xi-lina): Curdie's growing trust in Lina despite her frightening appearance, and his faith in the princess's promise.
- [The Mattock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xvi-the-mattock): Curdie's thoughts of his parents provide a light in his soul that destroys the power of darkness and captivity, showing inner strength and trust.
- [XX: Counterplotting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xx-counterplotting): Irene must trust Curdie's revelations about Dr. Kelman, and both rely on the guidance of the old princess.
- [XXI: The Loaf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxi-the-loaf): Irene trusts Curdie and her great-great-grandmother's plan, and the king trusts Irene's words about Curdie.
- [XXII: The Lord Chamberlain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxii-the-lord-chamberlain): The king's growing suspicion and refusal to sign without understanding reflects a lack of trust in his officials.
- [XXIII: Dr. Kelman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxiii-dr-kelman): The king's suspicion contrasts with the trust Curdie places in the housemaid and the princess's faith in Curdie.
- [The Prophecy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxiv-the-prophecy): The king begins to believe in the strange events and the truth of Curdie and Irene's stories, showing a growth in trust.
- [XXVIII: The Preacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxviii-the-preacher): The people's faith in their religious leaders is shattered, and trust in the king erodes.
- [Barbara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxix-barbara): The colonel's trust in Curdie contrasts with the major's suspicion, highlighting the difficulty of discerning truth amidst lies.
- [XXX: Peter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxx-peter): Peter's faith in the princess is shaken when he finds her house empty, yet his trust in his son's safety drives him to act.
- [The Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxi-the-sacrifice): Curdie's unwavering trust in the princess and his willingness to act without instructions demonstrate deep faith.
- [The King's Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxii-the-king-s-army): The king's trust in Curdie and the colonel, and the princess's trust in her pony and the Uglies, highlight faith in allies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/themes/faith_and_trust
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/themes