The Princess and the Goblin · Character

Lootie

Irene's nurse, whose fear of goblins is matched only by her talent for scolding the child she lost on the mountain.

supporting

First appearance: i why the princess has a story about her

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

Mentioned as the nurse who will be worried about Irene's absence.

In the storyIII: The Princess and—We Shall See WhoOpen this moment free

Lootie keeps the princess indoors after dark and frets over every strange sight, but on the night the long-legged creatures came at them she panicked and lost her way home, earning a talking-to from the king. She half believes the princess's tales of a twilight cat and a hidden grandmother, and that half-belief makes her both comic and pitiable. Her failures of nerve are what push Irene out of the nursery and into the story.

See Lootie in III: The Princess and—We Shall See Who Book page

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

Character Web

10 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Psychological

Character groups

Human Royal Household
Protagonist

+5 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Princess Irene, despite being confronted by an…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Princess Irene
professional · positive
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful… How this plays out →
Curdie
social · ambivalent
The King
professional · positive
The Old Lady
psychological · negative
Mrs. Housekeeper
professional · ambivalent
Princess Irene
professional · positive
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful… How this plays out →
Princess Irene
professional · positive
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful… How this plays out →
The Old Lady
psychological · negative
Curdie
social · ambivalent
The King
professional · positive
Mrs. Housekeeper
professional · ambivalent
Curdie
social · ambivalent

Princess Irene
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful and overprotective.
Curdie
Curdie and Lootie have limited direct interaction, mostly through their shared concern for Princess Irene.
The King
Lootie is a servant to the King, responsible for reporting on Irene's welfare and following his orders.
The Old Lady
Lootie is frightened and skeptical of the Old Lady, unable to see her and dismissing her as a fantasy.
Mrs. Housekeeper
Lootie and Mrs. Housekeeper are fellow servants in the royal household, coordinating care for Irene.
Princess Irene
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful and overprotective.
Princess Irene
Lootie is Irene's nurse and caretaker, responsible for her daily care but often fearful and overprotective.
The Old Lady
Lootie is frightened and skeptical of the Old Lady, unable to see her and dismissing her as a fantasy.
Curdie
Curdie and Lootie have limited direct interaction, mostly through their shared concern for Princess Irene.
The King
Lootie is a servant to the King, responsible for reporting on Irene's welfare and following his orders.
Mrs. Housekeeper
Lootie and Mrs. Housekeeper are fellow servants in the royal household, coordinating care for Irene.
Curdie
Curdie and Lootie have limited direct interaction, mostly through their shared concern for Princess Irene.

Relationship notes

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

See Lootie in i why the princess has a story about her

In the story

Lootie appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: The Princess and—We Shall See Who
Mentioned as the nurse who will be worried about Irene's absence.
The Princess Lets Well Alone
The nurse; fetches Irene from the kitchen without suspecting how she got there; remains unaware of the tower lady.
The Little Miner
Lootie is terrified of being caught out after sunset and prevents Irene from kissing Curdie, revealing her fear of the king's displeasure and her prejudice against miners.
The Mines
Referred to as the nurse; Curdie teases her but protects her from getting into trouble by not revealing the princess's story.
X: The Princess’s King-Papa
Is spoken to by the king about the evening Irene was out late; she cries afterward.
XI: The Old Lady’s Bedroom
Mentioned as the nurse who would not believe in the old lady; Irene avoids waking her.
XIV: That Night Week
Irene's nurse, who notices Irene's thoughtful mood but cannot discover her secret; she later searches for Irene when she goes missing.
XVI: The Ring
Sobs with relief upon finding Irene, scolds her for running out, but is silenced when Irene reminds her of Lootie's own fear on the mountain.
Springtime
Mentioned as Irene's companion on the mountain.
XX: Irene’s Clue
Mentioned in the context of the path where Irene and Lootie had met Curdie.
The Escape
Mentioned as having been left asleep; Irene hopes she won't get into trouble.
XXIII: Curdie and His Mother
Mentioned as Irene's nurse who is unaware of Irene's actions.
Irene Behaves Like a Princess
Accuses Irene of hiding and lying, showing anger and fear; later breaks down in distress when Irene considers replacing her.
Curdie Comes to Grief
The nurse who falsely accuses Curdie of rudeness and of trying to kiss the princess, influencing the captain against him.
The Goblins in the King’s House
Captured by Harelip, rescued by Curdie, and later clings to him in terror.
The King and the Kiss
Praises Curdie's courage; previously prevented Irene from giving Curdie a kiss.
The Last Chapter
Taken by Curdie and his parents to live with them; she does not understand the origin of the light that shines on their path.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Lootie in i why the princess has a story about her

See Lootie in III: The Princess and—We Shall See Who