Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Prince Caspian Challenge--Week Six, Chapters Twelve--Fourteen
Week Six
Chapter Twelve
Sorcery and Sudden Vengeance
This happens to be one of my favorite chapters of the book. The title alone is enough to draw me in!
Remember before when Nikabrik wanted to bring in the evil creatures to help, right before the battle? He was refused then. But now, he has somehow managed to bring in the Hag and Wer-wolf into Caspian’s headquarters. Caspian and the others do not see these creatures as who they are until Nikabrik proposed his plan of sorcery. Do you think Nikabrik crafted his plan this way? Why is it that the creatures at first appeared harmless?
The Wer-wolf’s speech is one of the most dramatic and chilling speeches from the Chronicles. Just read it out loud!
"I'm hunger. I'm thirst. Where I bite, I hold till I die, and even after death they must cut out my mouthful from my enemy's body and bury it with me. I can fast a hundred years and not die. I can lie a hundred nights on the ice and not freeze. I can drink a river of blood and not burst. Show me your enemies."
As we later learn, the Wer-wolf *is* one of the enemies. Do you believe that the Wer-wolf and the Hag thought they were doing the right thing in bringing the witch back, or did they have ulterior motives in their sorcery? If they had ulterior motives, what do you think they were? Does evil ever present itself innocently?
Nikabrik states, “Either Aslan is dead, or he is not on our side.” Nikabrik must truly believe this, or why else would he try to bring back Aslan’s greatest enemy? I think Nikabrik, at least, believed he was doing right. He honestly thought that the White Witch may help the Narnians more so than Aslan would.
Chapter Thirteen
The High King in Command
“A kind of greatness” hung about Edmund. Isn’t that a picture? I can almost see him now--full of pride for his Narnia and his brother, the High King. I think he must have been afraid, as well though.
If you remember from LWW, Aslan helped in the battle at the end. He was almost always there to pick up the children and the Narnian army when they needed it. However, in PC, Aslan sends Peter and Edmund to meet up with Caspian on their own, almost forcing them to battle against the Telmarines without his aid. Why do you think Aslan did this, and what does it say about the boys?
I always laugh at Peter’s letter to Miraz. “To Miraz….sometime Lord Protector of Narnia and now styling himself as King of Narnia.” You might be tempted to skip over all the introductory part of the letter, but if you really read it, it’s quite funny. It’s a pretty smart alecky thing to say to Miraz--bet that made him angry. Miraz has so long been “styling himself as king” that he really thinks he is king, as do many of the Telmarines. But leave it to Peter to rub it in--you aren’t king, Miraz, Caspian is!
Chapter Fourteen
How All Were Very Busy
You have to love Peter’s attitude when going into the duel with Miraz. He was very cool and collected and realistic about the whole thing! In the last chapter, when Edmund asked him if he thought he could win, how did Peter answer? “That’s what I’m fighting him to find out!” Peter wasn’t calm about the duel because he knew he was going to win. He didn’t know. In fact, he particularly asked Edmund to give his “love to everyone at home.” The possibility that he was going to die was VERY real to Peter. It wasn’t lack of faith, in my opinion, but purely realistic. So what was it that kept Peter so calm about the duel?
We see Miraz as a fearful person. He was afraid of Caspian taking over the throne. He was afraid of Aslan. He was afraid of all the Old Narnian ways. Like most dictators, he was truly a coward, but hid in his tyranny as a safety net. How is Miraz’s death a fitting end for him considering how he lived his life?
Assignment: Read chapter Fifteen (just one. Aren’t I nice? But it helps that there is only one left! :P )
Comments
Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Oh? well the reason it's taking me a while to read is because I don't read that much anymore. I usually only read before I go to bed, and now that's sometimes rare because I need more sleep. I don't read a lot in the daytime because it makes me tired. >.<
Jennifer
Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
Aaauugghh!!!!!!!! I so dislike computers!!!!!! It just deleated what I had writen!
Okay, here I go again.
Nikibrik wanted his friends to appear helpful and concerned about Narnia. It is like the world, make sin look harmless and people will do it.
The ware wolf's speech nearly always makes me shudder!
Maybe they made themselves think they just wanted to help out Narnia, but their true motives were probably, "If we free the witch she will reward us!" Yes, evil nearly always looks innocent!
I like how Ed never minds that Peter is in chage and not he. He is always ready to do what Peter says, not like the first one! I think Ed has grown the most out of all four.
Aslan knew the boys had grown anough that they could do what needed to be done without him being there. It shows the boys are more miture and more kingly.
I like Peter's introduction too! First introducing himself as king, and then Miraz as sometimes Lord protector. I can just imgine Miraz reading it! Sometimes! How dare he! I also liked how Peter wasn't mean when he was doing it, he was just pounting out the facts, "Miraz you aren't king!"
I liked that too. It showed Peter's humility. I also liked how Ed encouraged him and had faith in him, "You can tell them yourself."
It shows that inspite of the uncertainity, almost certainity that Peter won't make it, he was ready if he had to die. He was obeying Aslan, he had nothing to fear even if he died.
He was always, in a manner of speaking, stabbing people in the back to get what he wanted. His brother, Caspian. So, he died by the same means he ruled. Oh and it is cowardly to stab a man in the back, especially one that is already fallen on the ground. He lived as a coward, and died a cowards death.
This is my favoritest chapter in the whole book. It shows everyones characters so well. Peter's humility and courage to fight even though he knew he would most likely die. Ed's faith in him, and devotion, he was the first one at Peter's side when he was attacked. Caspian's concern and wishing it had not come to this. And Peter's knightliness. 1. Not stabing Miraz when he had fallen. 2. Not listening to the taunts. It shows how different a king he was from Miraz!
Monday, May 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Striker
Wow you guys are almost done with the book! I hope the movie is alot like the book.
What have you been doing?
~Striker
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
I think Nickabrik was a traitor, I think he knew what he was doing along with the wolf and hag. They both were of evil, evil things enjoy evil company. LoL.
I loved Peaters letter to M. it is totaly sarcastic and rude. I think they are going to make M. look tough and brave in this movie and I really hope they don't because it is completly obvious that he is a slinky man with no spine!!!
I'm ready to see the movie now I'm so happy you pulled this together so we could read it before it came out. Dad and I went and saw Iron Man and they had a PC trailer and we both agreed that we want to go to the theater. WOO!!! LOL
I hope it's a "good read" I just might take a while to get around to reading it I have other book reports I have to do before I can read that :(
Thankyou for your comment! I alwase look forward to hearing from you!
GB~
sharla~
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Chris
no i don't! yes mine is chris@libertytars.org shoot me an email so i have yours!
Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Chris
seen the official switchfoot/narnia video yet? youtube it girl it is amazing...
and yeah i guess i have not quite quit blogging afterall--but it is much diff--check my blog for what i mean
Thursday, May 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Curufinwe
LOL, thanks.. :-(
~CF
Friday, May 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Ah, thank you for the birthday wishes! Thank you for the sweet comments. I am so glad you're my friend. I think we all sharpen each other in one way or another. :)
Wish you could come to my party. You'd be an excellent addition!
Love
MJ
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Seth
1. The Old Narnians probably couldn't recognize the Hag and Wer Wolf in the dark, but also Nikabrik probably partly planned that. He would not want them to know who the creatures were because he knew the Old Narnians would not want anyone who was evil on their side. They appeared harmless at first because they tried to be nice so Caspian and the others wouldn't suspect them of being evil but then when the right time came they would go into action!
2. It had been years and years since the White Witch had had power over Narnia, and there were not too many evil creatures left. So it was probably a little bit of both--the good Narnians may be able to influence the evil Old Narnians. I think the Hag and Wer-wolf were probably thinking both, they wanted the Witch for evil but they also thought she might help them get rid of the Old Narnians AND the Telmarines.
3. It shows the boys are good fighters, smart, but they do need Aslan. Aslan is trying to make them realize they need him, and they can't do it by themselves so he wants them to try.
4. Peter was so calm because he knew that for some reason Aslan would be there. He knew if he died, well, he died, but Aslan would take care of Narnia and restore it to its full glory and peace.
5. Miraz was killed by someone who was very close to him; he was betrayed. He died in the exact same way as Caspian's father, who he killed.
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Narniagirl
Hey Earthling,
It really was a great idea for you to do this Prince Caspian Challenge. I read most of the discussion in this entry. It was very in-depth and thought provoking. Great job!
Yes, well, even though Miss Jocelyn and I appear to be the ones behind the Prayer Challenge, the real credit goes to God. He's the one who made it happen. I'm glad your joining us. What country are you praying for?
Do you mind if I add you to my friends list?
~Kylie
Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Earthling
1. I think Nikabrik was definitely using the situation to his full advantage. He used the physical aspects of the situation to cloak the Hag and the Wer Wolf. He acted all "I'm doing a good deed for Narnia" but he was being very deceptive about the whole thing, so he had to have known what he was doing is wrong, or at least would not be well received by Caspian and all the Old Narnians. In this way, Nikabrik was able to make the creatures appear like harmless volunteers for the cause, who perhaps had a few hidden talents that could help Narnia. He tried to break the news "easily" what their plan was, and did his best to justify it.
2. It is pretty clear by their deception what the Hag and Wer-wolf's motives were. The Hag tried to win over Caspian and gang--especially with her appeals and flattery to Doctor Cornelius. She tried to present herself and the Wer-wolf in good light as innocent creatures who just wanted to help, like evil so often does. Both the Hag and Nikabrik tried to reason with the Old Narnians by using their own arguments--the good of Narnia. Nikabrik, though, believed he was doing right--he had lost faith in Aslan and felt like the White Witch could help defeat the Telmarines. He was misguided, but his motives were not as purely wrong as those of the Hag and the Wer-wolf, who were creatures that were allies to the White Witch during the Long Winter. They wanted to not only destroy the Telmarines, but the Old Narnians and their faith in Aslan as well. Talk about enemies of the faith...coming in the name of aid, but turning you against your faith in the process!
3. One of the biggest themes of the book is reliance and continuance belief in Aslan, even when he has been gone for centuries. So why did Aslan send the boys alone, without him? Possibly to test them....also, because they have faith in him, so likewise he has faith in them. To much is given much is expected and all that.
4. In one word--Aslan! Hehe. But I do think, as my darling little brother said, it had a lot to do with the fact that Peter knew Aslan was in control, no matter what would happen to him. Right now Peter's goal is to see Narnia be reinstated to what it was under his own reign, and to do that he knows he must give up everything for it. He's sacrificing everything, and he knows it, but he is calm about it, because he knows he HAS to do it, and there's no way around it. (although he probably was quaking in his armor, I'm sure!)
5. Miraz lived as a coward, and died as one. He was betrayed and literally stabbed in the back by his own men, just as he did with his own brother and countless Telmarines. He didn't die by the hand of Peter or Caspian or even Aslan....instead he died the death he truly deserved--like a coward.
Sunday, May 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
I love this chapter too. I love how valiant Trumpkin and Trufflehunter are!
I think Nikabrik was trying very hard to engulf Caspian and the others in his plans, and the others only appeared as less than good once they realized his evil intent.
I don't think anything as evil as the Hag or the Wer-wolf would ever fully devote themselves to a cause; they would be in it for themselves. They were probably maltreated by the Talmarines as much as everybody else and that was the motive. But who knows? (You're right. That speech is chilling.)
I think the fact that Aslan let the boys go on alone shows that he is letting them gain confidence as kings of Narnia again. Peter's the high king, and Edmund is a king, and they have power in and of themselves.
I think Peter's attitude is his new bravery, his devotion to Narnia. What do you think?
(We finished Ball of Fire! I LOVED IT!)
Drop by my blog, I just put on some new movie reviews!
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