1. Lootie, the nurse, is responsible for taking care of Irene. Describe their relationship and explain why MacDonald included Lootie's character in the story.

2. In the big battle scene, the goblins almost capture Lootie rather than Irene, their intended victim. What is the significance of this?

3. Besides Lootie, the other adult female in the story is Curdie's mother.

Compare the function of Curdie's mother in the story to that of Lootie and Grandmother.

4. Though the goblins are ruthless, they are also clever and even witty. Why does MacDonald give them this combination of characteristics? Does their wittiness make them less forceful as villains?

5. Besides the goblins' wit, what other examples of humor are there in the story? Is such humor appropriate in a story that has a serious theme?

6. Very few, if any, truly horrifying incidents occur in the story, even though it has potentially...