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As the story’s protagonist, Maria proves herself to be a dynamic character who develops across every scene. She may not experience a literal transformation like the Nutcracker, but the changes she does undergo reflect the benefits that Hoffmann attributes to imagination. Maria’s first appearances in the story establish her as an enthusiastic seven-year-old girl who, like most children, is thrilled by the sheer number of Christmas gifts she receives. She and her brother, Frederic, similarly flit about the parlor investigating every aspect of the Stahlbaums’ materialistic display. As soon as she discovers the Nutcracker hidden among the gifts, however, Maria’s character begins to evolve away from that of a typical child. Her compassion comes to the forefront as she defends the Nutcracker’s appearance and sees the kindness in his eyes. Although he has yet to come to life, Maria’s capacity to see the emotion in his face suggests that her imagination is already at work. The rest of the family simply sees the Nutcracker as a strange looking object.
The Nutcracker’s battle with the Mouse King and Maria’s subsequent injury further contribute to the development of her character. Despite her fear of the Mouse King and the traumatic nature of her wound, she summons the courage to throw her shoe at the mice and defend her tale to her parents after she wakes up. These events mark the growth of her voice and sense of agency, both of which continually get stronger as the narrative continues. Drosselmeier certainly manipulates the situations that Maria finds herself in, but the choices she makes are all her own. Maria’s unwavering devotion to the Nutcracker, willingness to make sacrifices to the Mouse King, and belief in the story of Lady Mouserings’ curse all reflect her emergence as a morally upstanding and confident individual. Of course, this development comes at a cost. She becomes quiet and sullen the more that her family criticizes her devotion to the Nutcracker. Hoffmann describes Maria’s fate at the end of the story in uncertain terms, but he emphasizes that she must abandon the Stahlbaums’ reality in order to become the best version of herself. The Puppet Kingdom brings color and joy to her life, and with her choice to rule alongside the Nutcracker, she has the opportunity to put her kindness and selflessness into practice.
