Sara Crewe is the protagonist of A Little Princess. The book emphasizes Sara’s uniqueness: she is an “odd-looking little girl” (3), “thinking odd things” (3), with an “odd charm” (9), and “a queer, old-fashioned thoughtfulness” (3). She makes “queer speeches” (7); she is “solemn” (11) and “quaint” (6). At the beginning of the book, seven-year-old Sara is portrayed as mature beyond her years, unusually intelligent, and empathetic. She is bookish and imaginative. Sara is the only child and cherished companion of widower Captain Crewe. Her young, wealthy father adores and pampers his extraordinary daughter. Born in India, Sara is sent to London, England, to be educated at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies. Sara is conspicuous because of her luxurious wardrobe and privileges, her fluency in French, and her other educational attainments. Sara immediately comes into conflict with the atmosphere of conformity promoted by the greedy, uneducated, domineering Miss Minchin.

Sara’s powerful storytelling ability fascinates many people, but her depth of thinking also separates her from the crowd. Her empathy enables her to reach out and form friendships with unlikely people, such as slow-learning pupil Ermengarde, spoiled four-year-old Lottie, and Becky, a child servant.