Petronella

Outer characterisation

Petronella is the main character of the fairy tale “Petronella” by Jay Williams, fulfilling the function of the heroine.

Her outer characterisation reveals that she is the youngest child of the king and queen of Skyclear Mountain, having two older brothers. Her physical portrait presents her as a beautiful girl: “She was a tall, handsome girl with flaming red hair…” (p. 113, ll. 28-29).

She knows how to use a sword and ride a horse as indicated by her preparations to leave home and seek her fortune.

The challenges

Petronella meets the old man at the forked road who tells her about Albion and the prince and begins to doubt her abilities to save the prince from the enchanter. She asks questions that suggest she does not know how to free the prince on her own: “ ‘Suppose I wanted to rescue the prince from the enchanter. How would I go about it? I haven’t any experience in such things, you see.’ ” (p. 114, ll. 34-36). When the old man tells her about the magic items and the tough challenges ahead, Petronella does not feel ready: “ ‘It doesn’t sound easy,’ said Petronella.” (p. 115, l. 7). The fact that she decides to rescue the prince even if the task is difficult suggests her bravery and determination:

‘It doesn’t sound easy,’ said Petronella.
‘Nothing we really want is easy,’ said the old man. (p. 115, ll. 7-8)

Each of the challenges scares her. However, she works out what the animals want each time, showing her intelligence, along with bravery and talent: “But Petronella was a real princess. She plucked up her courage. Instead of backing away she went towards the dogs.” (p. 116, ll. 6-8).

Primarily, however, she is kind to the animals. In this way, she discovers the dogs needed company, the horses need food and combing, and the hawks needed singing. By the third challenge, Petronella’s attitude is very relaxed: “Petronella laughed. ‘This is not how birds sing,’ she said. ‘Listen.’ ” (p. 118, l. 9).

After she obtains the magical objects, Petronella needs to overcome three other challenges, of discovering how to use the items to protect herself from Albion.  She does this a...