Monday, April 14, 2008 - Prince Caspian Challenge--Week Three, Chapters Five and Six
Week Three
Chapter Five
Caspian’s Adventures in the Mountains
Although I don't think anyone adores Miraz at first, it is this chapter that we really see his true character. He's a tyrant, a dictator. His laws are oppressive. His taxes are high. And he is a murderer--finally, Caspian is told that Miraz indeed, killed his father, and will kill him if he does not flee.
What kind of villain is Miraz? How does he compare to the White Witch? What are the differences between the two, and how is Miraz more of a real world figure? Can you relate this to the question I asked earlier about there not being a sense of awe when the children entered Narnia this time? What about Narnia was changed under Miraz as a ruler versus the equally tyrannical White Witch?
Cornelius presents Caspian with the "greatest and most sacred treasure of Narnia"--the horn of Queen Susan. Considering what we read in chapter two, what is significant about Dr. Cornelius' possession of the horn?
Caspian is found by Trufflehunter, Trumpkin, and Nikabrik in the woods when he flees the castle of Miraz. They all seem skeptical of the belief of Aslan and the rulers at Cair Paravel. Of course, it has been over 1300 years since either of these were heard of. It is easy to see why they may lost their faith!
What would you say the theme of this chapter is? No wrong answers! ;)
Chapter Six
The People That Lived in Hiding
The chapters starts off with Caspian experiencing the happiest times he ever knew. It sounds kind of cliché, but worth looking at. Why is it that these times are so wonderful to Caspian? He's left his home, his family...what is there here that he was missing?
We are introduced to a multitude of creatures in this chapter. The Centaur Glenstorm comes in, and immediately asks for war. Of course, Caspian never even thought of war. It is doubtful he had thought much of anything about his future. The people seem to consider Caspian the rightful king. Remember when Miraz asked if Caspian wanted to be king when grew up? Caspian answered that he wasn’t sure. Do you think Caspian is capable of being king, and what qualities has he illustrated that would make him a good (or bad) king?
Some of the creatures (Nikabrik included) wished to bring in other creatures to aid their cause. These were creatures of "bad habits", or on the "dark side" (to put it in George Lucas terms!). Most of the creatures were unsure of their beliefs on Aslan, but they considered bringing in the bad. Why do the bad creatures have more appeal than the good at this point, and how does that affect us in the real world?
Oh, yes, and we are introduced to Reepicheep here--one of the most loved characters in the Chronicles. First impressions of this valiant talking mouse?
Assignment: Read chapters Seven and Eight
Comments
Monday, April 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Thanks!! :D Yes, it was a lot of fun. Now we need a Jane Austin ball, that would be sooo much fun. heehee
Ah, well, you know people got married much younger in olden times. heehee But yeah, he could be around that age. That would make Peter around that age, too, because Caspian was supposed to look the same age as Peter... hmm
Jennifer
Monday, April 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Striker
Yeah, but it seems that you already have a working computer, so you do not get the benefit. *evil laugh* ;)
~Striker
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
I think what you're doing with this book is an excellent idea!
And thank you for your comment today! Excellent statement you made. :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
I have been having fun answering these questions! As much fun as you have had reading them I am sure :).
So, what was your first impression of Caspian?
Do you think they picked someone too old to act him in the movie? I thought so, but I have got used to it now :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Miraz is nut's and power hungry that's what him and the WW have in common power get's to there heads too easily. And he is different from the WW because he got rid of all the talking animals and tree people the witch used them.
Caspian dose seem young (and I agree with you about the sheltering that might be a big part of that) ,but he can keep a leavel head and he can take charge it seems if he needs to.
Reepicheep is so awsome, I know him more of curse because of the other books I have read, but he shows his valiance right off he is so brave and gun-ho LOL he makes me laugh.
~~~~~~~~
I hope you had a good time at your family reunion. It's funny to see who looks like who in pictures and stuff like that!
GB~
sharla~
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by writer4him
Hello!
I've seen your blog several times, but never stopped to leave a comment. And then I noted your appearance on NarniaWeb...and so I judged it proper to come and say hello :-) (I'm on NW also, username writer4him). Would you mind if I added you to my friends list?
And I wish I had taken part in your PC challenge...I fully intend to re-read the book before May 16, but it would have been such fun to do it with other people :-).
~Beth
Thursday, April 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Curufinwe
LOL! Right....LOL Thanks! New entry soon!
~CF
Saturday, April 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
Oh goodness, I am so behind. I'm sorry! I'm going to read all of the chapters today and I'll write later.
The Man Who Knew Too Much was pretty good, but wierd! I liked it.
I luv Reepicheep! Have you seen my profile pic?
Saturday, April 19, 2008 - Hey Emily
Posted by SuperAngel
Thanks for your thoughts on thoughts! lol ;)
Yep, TOS should be a great issue!
Prayers and Blessings,
Miss Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com
Saturday, April 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by writer4him
Yes, I was a lurker on NW for some time before I joined :-). I am continually amazed at the quality of the forums...I've found that a great number of the members are Christian homeschoolers!
Hm, I might just try to catch up...I'll see if I have time to read the first several chapters. That was a wonderful idea, and I thank you for hosting it!
~Beth
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Earthling
1. Miraz and the White Witch--well, I see Miraz as a scarier figure, to us earthlings (well, that's just me, LOL!). He's more of a real word figure, someone relateable to us. While the White Witch was evil, she was more of a supernatural character. We can't understand that power as well. But Miraz was essentially a political figure. He was an oppressive dictator. That kind of person we understand in our world. I think those are the big differences between the two. This could also have to do with the sense of awe that children did not feel when first arriving at Narnia. Narnia is no longer under an enchantment--it's been taken over by a purely different form of evil.
2. Susan lost the horn when she was going to hunt the White Stag. Cornelius somehow found it....Susan was all disappointed she had lost the horn, but now it has proved important for Caspian.
3. The theme of the chapter--there's betrayal, but I think a big thing is the whole faith aspect. Caspian, although he said he believed in Old Narnia and was fascinated by it, was not sure that it really did exist at times. On the other hand, we have these Old Narnians not sure if they believe in Aslan and the Pevensies kids anymore. Somehow the people in Narnia of LWW went from believers to agnostics and skeptics.
4. Caspian was raised as a prince. He knew every luxury, but he was missing something before. He was living with wealth but among corruption. Now although he is not living very comfortably, he is happy because he is finally experiencing Old Narnia.
5. Caspian seems really reluctant about being king. I think a lot of this is humility, but I also think he honestly doesn't know if he has the skills or even if he WANTS to be king. He grew up with Miraz as "king" and knew how evil he was. Remember, that's the only king Caspian knew...not much of an example.
6. The bad creatures are around. They have made themselves known. Yes, they may be worse than the good, but at least they are there. At least they seem willing to help. Aslan on the other hand has not been heard of for many years. For us, sometimes God seems distance and evil lurks at our door. We are tempted to follow the evil.
7. Me loves Reep. He's so perfect--valiant, Errol Flynn-like, swashbuckling, and funny! I love how he just puts himself at the service of the one that he believes to be the rightful king.
Friday, April 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Seth
1. Miraz seems to be a lot more realistic than the Witch. They were both villains and killers, but the Witch had unbelievable magic, and Miraz was powerful, except for the magic part. Considering who is more evil--I'd say Miraz but it's close.
2. If Dr. Cornelius did not have the horn, than Caspian would never have received help.
3. I think the theme of this chapter is sort of preparation.
4. He met all of the creatures, Talking ones, fauns, centaurs, dwarfs, squirrels, everything he could want to meet. And that met there were Old Narnians left.
5. Caspian would make a good king, even if he hadn't known about the Talking beasts. He doesn't seem that he would want the oppression that Miraz had. He would try to find Narnians if he hadn't found out from Dr. Cornelius, and he was a successful leader.
6. The Black Dwarfs wanted to bring in some bad guys because they were on the White Witch's side back in LWW, and they had a relationship with hags, werewolves, and would have thought "they were on our side once."
7. Reepicheep is so noble and courageous. He wanted to do all this noble stuff and lead and fight for Aslan.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
Well, I am late again, but here our my answers. Mariz is a power hungry time guy. All he wants is to be king and rule Narnia the way he wants. The witch on the other hand probably wanted to get even with everyone, remember Digory and all that happened there.
Mariz seems more of the time who would let you live if you promised alengence to him. The witch would have just killed you. Not that he is any kinder.
Mariz is just a man, a man without anything magic about him. The witch was a, well witch for one thing, and she had magic for another.
The magic is gone this time. This time the villain is human.
Now we know where the horn is, and how it was found. And why Susan did not have it, another needed it more then them.
The theme, humm. Maybe the difference between good an evi and how inspite of all evil some still hold onto their faith, look at the banger while others turn and others just could care less.
He was missing being accepted, loved and liked, he was missing friends. All the riches in the world hold nothing to a true friend.
I think he is very capable of being a good king. He is not proud and accepts help willing but he does what he must. Such as at the counsil at the Dancing Lawn. It was Caspian who told everyone what to do when the "invador" came.
The bad creatures where there and ready to do something right away. Join there side and fight, though in the wrong way. When one looks for help they jump at the first one who offers, even if it is bad. The bad would have accepted them, even if it was just for their own gain later on.
I adore Reep. He is redicoulsly brave, maybe too much for his own good, and he is so loyal. His height would not stop him from doing his best to save a friend. He also has an over douse of pride, :), and he is very gentlmanly.
That is all, thak you for doing this, it is fun!
Awarded By Crossview
Awarded by ChesapeakeSailor and Sassy92
Awarded by Sharla88
Awarded by Jocelyn Dixon
