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Cover of The Light Princess

The Light Princess

Written by George MacDonald

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Children's stories, EnglishFairy tales

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About this book

"The Light Princess" by George MacDonald is a whimsical fairy tale written during the Victorian era. This enchanting work features the theme of a princess who is cursed with the inability to have any gravity, resulting in a life filled with laughter but devoid of genuine emotion. The story intricately weaves joy, love, and the quest for self-discovery, exploring profound themes in a light-hearted manner. The plot revolves around a young princess born from a king and queen who, after a careless omission during her christening, falls prey to a malevolent curse by her spiteful aunt, the witch Princess Makemnoit. Stripped of her weight, she floats away from serious situations, evoking laughter and consternation among her family. As the story unfolds, the princess's carefree nature brings whimsical chaos to her kingdom, eventually leading to her meeting with a brave prince. Their relationship blooms through shared adventures and a newfound love for the lake where she can feel her lost gravity. In a dramatic climax, it is through love that she ultimately regains her gravity, realizing that true happiness is intertwined with the emotions she once lacked, culminating in a joyous reconciliation with her identity and family.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Light Princess, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • whimsical
  • uplifting
  • romantic

George MacDonald's "The Light Princess" is a whimsical Victorian fairy tale exploring the profound connection between physical gravity and emotional depth. Cursed at birth by a spiteful witch, Princess Irene is weightless and incapable of serious emotion, leading a life of superficial joy. Her existence changes dramatically upon meeting a brave prince and discovering a magical lake where she experiences a semblance of gravity, fostering a deep connection. When the witch plots to drain the lake, the prince's ultimate act of love and sacrifice finally awakens the princess's capacity for grief and empathy, restoring her true weight and emotional wholeness. The story is a beautiful allegory for self-discovery, the transformative power of love, and the essential nature of sorrow in achieving genuine happiness.

“She was the most beautiful baby that ever was born, and the king and queen were as proud of her as if they had done something very grand indeed.”

Key themes

The Nature of Gravity and Emotion
The central metaphor of the story, where physical gravity is directly equated with emotional depth and the capacity for serious feeling. The Princess's weightlessness symbolizes her inability to experience genuine joy, sorrow, or love, suggesting that 'weight' is essential for a full human experience. The story explores how true gravity comes from connecting deeply with life and its emotions.
Love as Redemption and Transformation
Love, particularly the selfless and sacrificial love between the Princess and the Prince, is presented as the ultimate force capable of breaking curses and transforming individuals. The Prince's willingness to sacrifice his life for the lake (and by extension, for the Princess's well-being) is the catalyst for her emotional awakening, demonstrating love's power to awaken empathy and bring wholeness.
Self-Discovery and Identity
The Princess's journey is fundamentally one of finding her true self. Initially defined by her curse and lack of emotion, she embarks on a quest, albeit unconsciously, to understand who she is beyond her superficial existence. Her interaction with the lake and the Prince allows her to explore her inner landscape and ultimately integrate her physical and emotional being, achieving a complete identity.

Worth discussing

How does MacDonald use the metaphor of physical gravity to explore emotional and spiritual depth? What does 'weight' truly mean in the context of the story?

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