Monday, April 21, 2008 - Prince Caspian Challenge--Week Four, Chapters Seven and Eight

Chapter Seven

Caspian is rightful heir of the throne of Narnia. He was raised in the lap of luxury, it is assumed, as the nephew of King Miraz. He had the best of education, opportunities, and everything he needed (until Miraz had his own son, anyhow!). How is his experience at the Council so different from what he knew as the nephew of Miraz, and how will this help to form him into King Caspian?

Doctor Cornelius states, “We must go to Aslan’s How.” Do you remember the significance of Aslan’s How and the Stone Table in LWW? Do you see the connection between the two events? If you would like, check out the last three paragraphs in this article. It gives some interesting insight into the name of Aslan’s How. http://www.multnomah.edu/voice/0501/0501news2.html

In chapter seven, we also get to experience, along with the army, Caspian’s first battle. What shock this must have been for the young prince! C.S. Lewis does not go into much detail at all over this battle, but it appears to be fairly uneventful, although they were all pretty ragged and grumpy by the end of the chapter. I find it interesting how little time Lewis spent on the battle scene--the battle clearly lasted for days, but apparently too much action would have distracted us from the real plot. All we needed to know in the book that there was the good, and there was the evil, and they were at war. I do hope the movie expands the battle, though. But for now, we can imagine! ;)

Debate roars on re the horn of Queen Susan. When should they blow it? Is it the correct time? What is the meaning of “greatest need”? It is interesting to note that, despite the magic surrounding the horn, Caspian and his gang are not sure at all how it will help them. Do you think their wonderings show lack of faith or are they simply trying to employ an “Aslan helps them who help themselves” mindset?

Chapter Eight

Finally, my D.L.F.’s, we return to the Pevensies. You of course, will now have realized two important facts--that the dwarf the Pevensies are with is Trumpkin, and the horn, indeed, called the Pevensies into Narnia.

Trumpkin has always been doubtful of the old stories at this point. He is rather abashed at seeing that the horn did work, and that the Pevensies are at Cair Paravel. However, he is also surprised by them--he was no doubt expecting the great Kings and Queens that had left Narnia, not four schoolchildren. You have to laugh as all the children, especially Edmund, are somewhat insulted by this. It prompts them to wage a contest between Trumpkin and themselves to see who is the most skilled. What two things does this contest illustrate about the Pevensie children?

In the treasure chamber, Trumpkin makes a comment about Nikabrik. What does this comment lead you to believe about Nikabrik, based on what we have already read about him? What do you think Nikabrik role will be as the story progresses?

Anything particular strike you in this chapters, a passage or quote or anything?

Assignment: NOTE: FOR NEXT WEEK, PLEASE READ CHAPTERS Nine, Ten, and Eleven! (that’s three of them! Sorry, my calculations were a bit off!)

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CrossView

We got a little bit behind so we'll be catching up this week. The hard part is stopping! We're enjoying it!

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Saturday, April 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot

Hmm, well for one thing all the luxuary he ever knew is gone. Also all are depending on him. He is their king of that they have no doubt. it is he who doubts
In both times someones life was indanger, and both times they only place they could be saved was at Aslan's how and the stone table
I too am always a little disapointed and Lewis lack of discription about the battles I guess he wanted us to use our imaginations. :). But I am looking forward to seeing it nonetheless
I would say it was lack of faith that kept them from blowing the horn. The help would come in a form of childhood heros. It would be like you getting something and all you had to do was blow it, or whatever, and your childhood hero would show up. Now who would believe that? Not too many. Caspian and the others used to hear stories about these people, and they feared it might not turn out as they hoped.
The contest showed they where using their heads. Also that they were acting grown up enough not to get upset and argure with the dawrf
Right away you think, "Nikabrik must be a greedy fella." I already read it so know what is going to happen to him
Ed!! That is what struck me! He isn't the same little selfish boy in the LWW. Instead of having Peter fight, and maybe loose and have things worse with Trumpkin, Ed fights him. Ed was thinking about Peter, and the consaquences of if he did loose. Also he knew there was a chance he might, he wasn't thinking, "Of course I'll win!" And being proud about it. But you must say he did have fun fighting Trumpkin. And when he did when he acted like it was no big deal and did his best not to make the DLF feel bad.

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Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Seth

1. Miraz would not allow animals (Old Narnians) and the Old Narnians were a lot more fair than Miraz. They are not surrounded by wealth, so they really have to work but Miraz is pretty much just the kind of leader that bosses people around.



2. In LWW, Aslan's How was where the Stone Table was where Aslan was killed and the Table cracked in two. It was a good place for headquarters because they were in no danger except from starvation.

3. I think it's a mixture of both they didn't really believe but they were also sure. Trumpkin didn't believe, but the rest want to do it and had faith.

4. The Pevenies children can remember their skills very quickly, because it said if Ed had fought Trumpkin 24 hours earlier he would not have had a chance. It also shows that they didn't like to be insulted!

5. Nikabrik is greedy and would get mad if he couldn't have any of the treasure. It shows Nikabrik could cause harm later on.

6. Something in this chapter particularly strikes me about how that Caspian is not sure that they could blow the horn THEN. He thinks "what if there comes a greater need?"

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Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Earthling

1. It's just two different extremes. Caspian is probably very familiar with the diplomatic and militaristic workings of Telmar as their prince. However, these are all under Miraz, who, as we know, conducts things quite different than the Old Narnians. His councils of war are probably elaborate, well planned, organized events with strategy, not to mention promoted by fear and terror. On the other hands, the Old Narnians aren't really that experienced at battle--they've been in hiding for 1300 years--and they go about everything very differently. Of course their resources are also a lot less than the Telmarines as well. This all will probably help Caspian, because he is really relying on Old Narnia and Aslan now, not his battle tactics or strength or even his own knowledge. He's not depending on himself, but he's getting together everyone for a good cause.

2. Stone Table is where Aslan died. Somewhere between LWW and PC the Narnians built a mound over it, and the Table is now underground; the whole thing is called Aslan's How. To understand what it signifies, you have to understand what a hallowed place it is. It's like the Narnian's Jerusalem. It's where Aslan died; and where he became alive again. It's a sacred place to the Narnians, so for Caspian to set up headquarters there is really meaningful. He's recognizing Aslan and in essence almost going back to him. It's really quite beautiful if you think about it. It's been so long since Aslan died/came alive, but he is not forgotten. Caspian is honoring him by choosing this place to re-defeat evil in Narnia.

3. I don't think it shows necessarily a lack of faith, but I think they were just trying to be practical. It's not as if they were given much instruction with this horn...only to use it in their greatest need. I think Caspian's question "when is the greatest need" is something we'd all worry about if we wanted to blow the horn. I do think Trumpkin, being the agnostic he is, has no faith over the horn and it's capabilities.

4. One, they've really matured. They weren't completely insulted by Trumpkin's remarks (okay, maybe a little at first). Rather than reacting in anger, they wanted to honestly show that they were capable of leading Narnia. I guess you could say it was sort of driven by pride (remember Susan's comment about how she didn't want anyone to think she was that bad of a aim when she hit the Telmarine soldier?), but it's not necessarily a bad pride. They were given these skills and it is necessary for them to have them to lead Narnia. Trumpkin needed to know, not just for Narnia, but for himself, that these weren't just kids. These were the true Kings and Queens--and they were not made up stories! Secondly, it shows that they are gaining back their skills the longer they are in Narnia. The kids are becoming more and more royal each minute!

5. Nikabrik is greedy, and would probably do anything for riches. He is proving himself willing to go along with anything, as long as he gets a good deal out of it. He's the one who wanted to bring in werewolves and hags and ogres and Black Magic to aid them. He may care about Old Narnia, but he cares about his own safety and well being first.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot

Yes, I think Ed was one of my favoritest characters in Prince Caspian. He is still kind of the same boy in LWW, he isn't completely sweet, being the one who started the DLF. But he is more thoughtfully, kingly I suppose. In the battle against Mariz he never allowed Peter a chance to get discouraged. Not to mention he was the first one to rush to Peter's side when he needed him. In this one you can see he is trying to be a better brother. Standing up for Lucy, though he grumbled and having been awaken.
We can see he is not perfect but he is trying to do better. That is why I like him, he still is not perfect, still struggles and everything, but he is so much kinder and thoughtful. So that we can see the little boy in him still but also the king.

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