Princess

Reference to a princess throughout this story refers more to wealth than royalty, although for at least Miss Minchin wealth and royalty seem to be one and the same. There are archetypal characteristics of a princess - they are kind, charitable, and thoughtful of others even in their own distress. Sara fits all of these.

In observing the princess as a symbol, it is also important to note that in many literary instances, princesses need rescuing. This is not true when Sara starts Miss Minchin's school, but it certainly becomes true upon her father's death.

Education

Education is a symbol of wealth and of high society. Parents of Miss Minchin's students paid a good deal of money to enroll them there, evident because of the head mistress' emphasis on money. Sara realizes that not everyone learns the same way and tries to help Ermengarde do better...