Frances Hodgson Burnett

A Little Princess Annotated Frances Hodgson Burnett

Captain Richard Crewe, a wealthy English widower, raised his only daughter, Sara, in India, where he is stationed in the British Army. Since the Indian climate is seen as too harsh for children, the British families living there traditionally send their children to boarding school. The captain enrolls his seven year old daughter in Miss Minchin's boarding school for girls in London and admires his daughter so much that he orders and pays the headmistress for special treatments and exceptional luxury for Sara as well as a private room for her with a personal maid and separate living room, along with Sara's private car and a pony. Miss Minchin openly flatters Sara for her money, but secretly and jealously despises her for her wealth. Sara invites Becky to live with her and be her personal maid, in much better living conditions than in Miss Minchin. Carrisford becomes a friend and father figure of Sara and quickly regains her health. Finally Sara accompanied by Becky visits the bakery where she bought the rolls and makes a contract with the owner to cover the bread bills of all hungry children. They discover that the beggar Anne, who was saved from starvation by Sara's selfless act, is now an assistant to the owner of the bakery, with good food, clothes, shelter and steady employment.