The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

by

C. S. Lewis

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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Lucy and Aslan leave the book behind and come across the Magician, whose name is Coriakin. Coriakin reveals that he knew Lucy was using his book. In fact, he made the people of the island—the Duffers—invisible so that Lucy could turn them back. The Duffers aren’t particularly intelligent, but the Magician has taught them to tend a garden for themselves on the island.
The Magician fulfills a role like a religious leader, teaching both Lucy and the Duffers how to improve their lives. Like Eustace at the beginning of the story, the Duffers didn’t know how to work together to achieve a larger goal until the Magician taught them how.
Themes
Christianity Theme Icon
Lucy goes back to the Duffers and sees that Coriakin, as a joke, has turned them into Monopods with just one foot. They all jump around like springs. Lucy asks about their original forms, and Coriakin says they used to be dwarfs, but not nice ones like in Narnia. Lucy suggests letting the Duffers keep their new forms.
The Duffers transform from being violent to being more peaceful and whimsical. Like many of the characters in the book, they mature and gain perspective through exposure to Coriakin and Lucy (who have themselves been made better through knowing Aslan).
Themes
Growing Up and Selflessness Theme Icon
The Chief greets Lucy happily when she gets back. He and the others seem to accept their new forms as Monopods. Then Lucy heads back to Caspian and the rest of the Dawn Treader crew. That evening, the Narnians all have dinner with Coriakin. At dinner, Lucy realizes she is no longer afraid of the Magician’s house. The next day, Coriakin fixes all the damage that the Dawn Treader took from the sea serpent.
This passage is the culmination of Lucy’s journey in this chapter, as she sees the benefits of her bravery and learns that the things she feared weren’t so bad after all.  When Coriakin physically repairs the Dawn Treader, this also represents how he has helped the crew spiritually, particularly Lucy.
Themes
Bravery Theme Icon
Growing Up and Selflessness Theme Icon
Quotes