Monday, May 12, 2008 - Prince Caspian Challenge--Week Seven, Chapter Fifteen
Week Seven
Can you believe we’ve made it to the end already? Amazing! Thanks to all of you who stuck with us all the way through. The discussions were great, and I’m so glad everyone could participate! I’ve read Prince Caspian many times, but it certainly helps having someone to talk about it with. I picked up a lot of new stuff this time around!
Chapter Fifteen
Aslan Makes a Door in the Air
A lot is accomplished by the end of Prince Caspian. Miraz is dead, Caspian has been accepted as the true king, the Telmarines are defeated and dealt with accordingly, and the Old Narnians have been restored to faith. Yet the book still ends on a bittersweet note. Susan and Peter will not return to Narnia. Aslan says it is because they are too old--what exactly do you think this means.? What else do you think Aslan may have told them, since we were not privy to that conversation?
Aslan asks Caspian if he feels he will make a sufficient king. Do you think Caspian’s answer was a good one? Keep in mind the hesitation Caspian has shown before--with Miraz (“I don’t know” if I want to be king)?
Explain Aslan’s words that being a son of Adam is “honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth.”
Many of the Telmarines go through the doorway, but some stayed. We do not know if Queen Prunaprismia and her son are among the ones who stay or go. What do you think they did? If they did stay, how do you think Caspian would have treated them?
Now that we are done, what theme(s) do you see recurring in this book? We all read things a different way. What in particular stood out to you? For me, I think that it really boils down to the fact that we have these great men and women--Caspian and the Pevensies. Caspian is heir to the throne of Narnia; Peter is the High King, etc. They are all VERY powerful people. Yet, they alone cannot defeat evil (Miraz). It is not until they rely on Aslan that they are able to defeat Miraz. Thus, they must learn that, no matter how powerful and important they are, they are nothing compared to Aslan. He’s the “High King of all High Kings.”
Pretend you are one of the filmmakers adapting the book Prince Caspian into a movie. Would you change, add, subtract, or expand anything? It is sometimes hard to take a book (especially one that starts like PC does, with Trumpkin telling the story) into a movie. How would you like to see it adapted?
Assignment: Go see Prince Caspian! Okay, if you really want to wait till the DVD comes out, fine. *sigh* But I’d encourage you to go see it--support a good movie! And if you do, try and get your hands on a copy of LWW and watch it before you see PC. I plan on doing this, so that everything is all fresh and new! If you get to see Prince Caspian, come back here and let us know your thoughts compared to the book and our discussions, or do a post of your own and give me the link!
Prince Caspian Trailer:
Again, thanks to everyone who read or discussed (or both!) with us....and see you in 2010 to start up with Voyage of the Dawn Treader! ;)
EDIT: Okay, guys, it's official. I'm seeing PC tomorrow afternoon, so be on the lookout for a big, long review from yours truly full of lots of spoilers (everyone run screaming in the other direction if you haven't seen it), my thoughts, differences between the book and movie, and lots more!
Comments
Monday, May 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lotrsavvy
Woooo Caspian comes out on Friday!!!!!!!! We go to see it. wahoo! hahahaha ;P
Thanks. yeah... it stinks waiting for grades, doesn't it? :P
Jennifer
Monday, May 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Hey there -
Thanks for the birthday wishes. : ) I did have a marvelous birthday!
Love
MJ
Monday, May 12, 2008 - <em>Untitled Comment</em>
Posted by MaidenCapitolaBallot
I did not think your comment was too long :). I liked hearing your apion on everything.
I wasn't too sure about the changes, and it has taken me awhile to get used to them.
I some what do agree with Peter's change,and Susan's kissing Caspian. Though in front of all those people I am not sure were she got the nerve, that would be so imbarissing!
Anyways, Peter's. You do see it in the book, if he had been relying on Aslan he would have believed Lucy and followed her. But, he wasn't and instead led everyone the wrong way.
I am not sure if that shows that he was wanting to prove himself, but I suppose it would. I mean, here he was, High King in charge of all Narnia. He was living the dream of most boys, getting to fight in battles and everything.
Then, just like that, he was a boy again and had to go to school. I guess the hard part for me is that I have always imagined Peter as the selfless one who would not ever get upset. Not that he doesn't, even in PC he does. I guess it was, out of all the boys from our word he was the most like the brave, kind, Narnian kings. But, I do have this odd habit of forgetting their faults as well, I mean, everyone knows Caspian had a temper!
Anyways, I can get used to Peter's changes. And I saw, in some clips, how Ed changes. He was always one of my favorites, despite his behavior in the first one. I guess it was because I like how he changed, not sure, he was just one of my favorites.
But in the movie it looks like he is REALLY changes. Can you believe how much older the actor looks? I did not know he was that much older until I saw a picture of him in the first one next to a picture of him in PC. Lucy I could tell right off, who couldn't but he I didn;t at frist.
Anyways, Susan.
I never really liked her much, I guess because she was always the grown up one. And I can see how some of the changes show how she changed when she went back home. But the battle.
In spite of all the changes, about boys and stuff, but the battle thing. Now I could see Lucy there, though I never imagined Lucy as liking battles.
Oh dear, I have to go, I will be back later to finish
Okay, I am back.
Were was I? Oh yes, Su, well to put it more or less, I agree, she was the gentle one, and it was not just her name.
Anyways, since I am here and have time I will answer the questions. Only three more days!!!! :D
I think Aslan meant it was time to grow up. They had to return to their world and couldn't always be thinking of Narnia. I think he may have given them some advice for upcoming trails while growing up.
Hmm, well Caspian's answer shows that he was humble. But it may also have shown, rather did show, a lack of confidence in himself. It also shows he is willing to learn and acept help.
It is an honor to be decendents of the first man, and shame because of his sin.
I doubt the queen would have stayed she didn't like Caspian, unless she of course realized how wrong she had been. But if they did say Caspian would have been very kind to them, and kept an eye on her as she still had her son who she wanted to be king.
The theme I see is relying on others for help, and more so on God. In all our trials to trust in God who is the only One who can help us.
Well, I am not the best one to answer this as I know how they adapted it and I think that is the best way. But like in LOTR doing to different story lines at the same time with flashes back and forth between them.
Hehe, I am hoping to go Saturday the 17th, I am nearly begging my family to go! And I am hoping to watch LWW Friday night :). I will be back to be sure!
Thank you for doing this, it was fun!
Edited by MaidenCapitolaBallot on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Monday, May 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Striker
I haven't done much either, school does take up alot of time. How have you been doing in school?
~Striker
Monday, May 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Hmmm I guess when you get older you loose more and more inocence (sp) and therefore Narnia would be harder and harder for Su and Peater to belive in so not having them come back at all makes that easier.
I think Casp. answer was great. It really displayes his age and his pureness, get what I mean?
Being a son of adam means we came from God therefore that is the higest honor! That's what I think he ment.
I think Casp. prob. was kind to his aunt he just does not seem like a crule type.
I think I agree he dose sort of need to look tough I just hope they expose him for the real thing. I also saw what looks like M. kneeling down with caspinas sword at his head, and I really hope they don't have C. kill him, because that's a big part of the story that M.'s own men kill him. Thanks for the comment!
GB~
sharla~
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Earthling
1. I don't know that they are just physically too old to return, but emotionally and spiritually. It is time, like Aslan told Edmund and Lucy on their last visit for them to "learn to find him in their own world". It's not a matter so much of age, I think (like "oh, your sixteen so no more") but maturity. We also see the two oldest Pevensies having a different kind of faith in this book Ultimately they still believe in Aslan, but they expect him indifferent ways then the younger kids. Peter and Susan were always the last to see Aslan, to feel the magic, etc. Maybe it was time for them to go home for good before they lost faith completely in Narnia, so that they could continue to have it in their world. In this book, we see Susan's character changing too. She's a "wet blanket" as Ed says, and a worrier, and becoming very concerned about earthly matters over Aslan. So again, she's maturing (maybe too much) so it is not really appropriate for her to come back to Narnia.
2. Caspian always seemed really hesitant about taking leadership in this book (a theme which continues in Dawn Treader, I might add). He's reluctant, he doesn't think he deserves it--from his answer to Miraz's question to his attitude at the Dancing Lawn to this statement to Aslan. It shows his humility (although sometimes, in Dawn Treader, it goes a bit far and becomes concerning!), and his willingness to rely on Aslan to do the directing, not on his own self.
3. I love these words, probably my favorites of Aslan's ever. They really speak to me. I think what Aslan meant was pretty simple, yet beautiful, tragic, and moving all at once. Humans are unique because they are made in the image of God, yet they are descended from Adam, and thus cursed to sin. So true! It is both an honor and a humiliation.
4. I've often wondered where Prunaprismia and son went. Did they go through the door? Did they stay in Narnia? I wouldn't think they would go through the door--it seemed it was mostly older men who did that. Even if she lost her position as Queen, Prunaprismia is still a woman, and most woman would choose a habitated country than a strange island! But yet there is no mention of her in the Chronicles so I wonder...but if she did stay, I have no doubt Caspian was kind to her and her son, his cousin.
5. Well, I kind of answered this in the post, so yeah...(writer's privilege! :P )
6. Hehe, this is something that could go on forever, but I will say...definitely change the structure. Have the kids meet Caspian earlier, etc. Make it more one storyline, instead of two that finally meet towards the end, branch off again, and then meet again at the very end. Also, I would emphasize the theme (see above) that I saw more, as well as the more darker/human/political/faith aspects of it...hey, and I think they are doing pretty much all that. It's hard to answer, can't decide if that's what I would do or if I like it because AA's doing it!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Narniagirl
Yes yes yes!!! My new favorite movie comes out in 2 days!!! :P
Ok, I added you. :)
I am praying for Haiti too (as well as India)! I don't know much about it, other than we support an orphanage over there. I'm hoping to do some research soon so I know what to pray for. Is there any particular reason you picked that country?
~Kylie
Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Prince Caspian
Posted by sarahbeth
I just wanted to say - Yay it's coming out tomorrow!!! We're going to the 9:45 (am) showing for my sister's Bday. I can't wait!!
Cheers!
Sarah Beth
Friday, May 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Curufinwe
I've read up to, like, 7 on the teens, but I like the adult ones better. It gets good after around the 4th book.
~CF
Saturday, May 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
Hey! Just got back from seeing PC. I won't say anything untill you've seen it or tell me you've seen it. I just thought I'd say that I have seen it!! LOL
GB~
sharla~
Sunday, May 18, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carygrant19
Oh, right, oh, right. Gary Cooper, not Gregory Peck! My fault, there's definitely a big difference. Way back when I was unenlightened I always confused Cary Grant and Clark Gable. Not anymore!
Guess what!? Guess what?! Guess what?! I WENT TO PRINCE CASPIAN! Oh, goodness! It was so good! We have to talk about it when you see it! Just trust me: you know how I never cry over movies? Well, I was this close at the end. (holds up fingers a tiny distance apart) Really.
Well, you remember the professor, at the house the Pevensies stayed at during the war? He knew about Narnia still, so I don't think adults forget, but they don't have the same belief as the children do. I don't know! What do you think?
I definitely think Caspian would be kind to the left-over Telmarines. He's that kind of guy.
I think that the recurring thing in the book is that everything has changed. The children are older, but they all (especially Susan and Peter) are stronger and more understanding. Peter is ready to die for Narnia, Edmund would take his place if he did.
Caspian grew up with his aunt and uncle, in the safety of a castle. Suddenly he's thrown out of the safety, hunted down, and forced to take charge of a country and a people he never knew existed. Plus, he's not even of age yet. I'm sure he was feeling quite overwhelmed (but ready) to take this giganto kingdom.
Write soon and tell us your thoughts! I'm dying to hear them!
Monday, May 19, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CrossView
We finished the book Friday - opening day. I was sorry it ended.... =(
My 26=yr old saw the movie Friday night. We're planning to go this week sometime.
And I thought of you this weekend. The library actually had a copy of "Father Goose" and we loved it! If I see it for sale, we'll be buying it!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by InNarnia
I really liked it!! I just can't deside if I liked the 1st one better or not... What did you think of it?
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