The Princess And The Goblin _verified_ -

MacDonald uses the setting of the house and the mountain as a metaphor for the human psyche. The attic represents the spiritual or "higher" self (the Grandmother), the ground floor represents our daily conscious life, and the dark mines represent the subconscious—where our fears and "goblins" reside.

As Irene navigates the complexities of her royal life, she meets Curdie, a rough-around-the-edges but clever and resourceful young miner's son. Curdie is initially tasked with rescuing Irene from the goblins, but as they spend more time together, they form an unbreakable bond. Together, they embark on a perilous quest to thwart the goblins' plans and save the kingdom. the princess and the goblin