Princess Academy

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, bullying, and child abuse.

Miri Larensdaughter

Miri is the 14-year-old protagonist of the novel. She is from the mountain territory of Mount Eskel and dreams of working in the quarry like the other villagers, but her father does not allow her to do so. Miri believes that this is because of her small stature, and as a result, she struggles with feelings of insecurity, worrying that her father, her sister, and the other villagers see her as unworthy. This leads her to seek a greater sense of purpose.

Initially, Miri refuses to attend the academy, feeling a strong attachment to Mount Eskel and a distrust of lowlanders. However, once she learns how to read and write, she discovers her passion for learning and is especially fascinated by the subjects of commerce and diplomacy. She uses her newfound knowledge, especially of the true value of linder, to encourage the villagers to negotiate better wages from the traders, building on the theme of Education as Empowerment. This leads to an economic transformation in the village. Miri also discovers her interest in teaching by teaching her older sister, Marda, how to read before eventually founding a village academy at the end of the novel.