Character Analysis
Because she's the older sister and the one who gets to work in the quarries, Marda has always been a source of envy for Miri—she assumes that Marda is smarter, bigger, and more valuable to the family. But after Miri goes off to the princess academy, she realizes that they have different roles in the family, and that Marda envies Miri's education as well. In the end, Marda is able to learn how to read and write with Miri's help.