Lizzie is a hero (duh!). She is at first a quiet, virtuous girl. Passing the goblin men Lizzie “cover’d her eyes” (50) while “Laura rear’d her glossy head” (52). This juxtaposition of the two girls shows the obvious difference in their personalities and appearance. Laura is a fiery, passionate, beautiful girl; Lizzie is a careful, cautious, pure young woman. While the reader is initially drawn towards Laura because of her adventurous nature, Lizzie is transformed in the reader’s eye to become the stronger character.

When Laura “seem’d knocking at Death’s door” (320) Lizzie takes action and becomes determined to help Laura (even if it means sacrificing herself). Despite the immense temptation and threat of physical harm, Lizzie refuses to be compromised by eating the goblins’ goods. “Like a rock of blue-vein’d stone; Lash’d by tides obstreperously,--” (410-411) “One may lead a horse to water, Twenty cannot make him drink.” (422-423)

She saved her sister through her bravery and steadfastness.

Connection to Alice in Wonderland:

While Alice’s nature brought excitement and adventure into her life, her actions can be seen as shortsighted and reckless. Laura is of the same character type as Alice, but her actions bring trouble to her life.