1. Examine the characters in the story to identify which ones believe in Grandmother's existence, which ones do not, and their reasons for either belief or skepticism.

2. MacDonald's stories are challenging to categorize. C. S. Lewis noted, "What he does best is fantasy—fantasy that hovers between the allegorical and the mythopoeic." Research the definitions of "fantasy," "myth," "allegory," and "fairy tale." Which term best describes The Princess and the Goblin?

3. The Princess and the Goblin shares many characters with its sequel, The Princess and Curdie, yet the stories differ significantly in tone and focus. Compare the two, especially considering the role of the townspeople, Irene's diminished role, and the conclusion of The Princess and Curdie.

4. The Princess and the Goblin illustrates a character's journey from immaturity to maturity. Identify and discuss the key stages Irene and Curdie experience in this growth. For Irene, how do her changes connect to her visits with Grandmother?

5. Grandmother resides in three rooms filled with wondrous objects, including a silver bath, a fire of roses, her crown, a magical lamp, and intelligent pigeons. What does each of the three rooms represent? Select two or three of these magical items and explore their potential religious symbolism.

6. Both Grandmother in The Princess and the Goblin and Aslan in C. S. Lewis's Narnia series share traits with Christ. Compare Grandmother and Aslan as Christ-like figures.

7. Sigmund Freud, known as the father of psychiatry, proposed a theory that the mind consists of three entities: the id, ego, and superego. Research Freud's theory in an encyclopedia and analyze how well the goblins, Irene, and Grandmother embody these three mental aspects.