The protagonist's recognition: true nobility is enacted social awareness, not appearances

What is it about?

This article discusses how the protagonist, Sara Crewe, gradually assumes responsibility for her character. While Sara is a kind girl, she is also spoiled, often existing in a world of fantasy and play, unaware of economic hardship and social injustice around her. Her kindness is, in other words, not a conscious choice. Her temporary experience of poverty and marginalization forces her to confront these realities and to realize that she needs to assume responsibility for her own life.

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Why is it important?

This article focuses extensively on how dress images function to express the protagonist's gradual recognition, adding deeper meanings to the story that can otherwise be missed.