Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Bravery
Christianity
Growing Up and Selflessness
Temptation
Summary
Analysis
The door in the distance by the pillars opens again, and a mild old man (Ramandu) who looks like the girl comes out. The girl is Ramandu’s daughter and the two of them sing a beautiful morning song. The clouds go away and sun lights up the table, including the Stone Knife. Seeing the sun rise so big and bright, so close to the World’s End, is the most exciting thing Edmund has seen so far on the voyage.
In the light of the morning, it becomes clear that the table doesn’t pose any threat. The larger, brighter rising sun represents how the travelers are reaching the end of their journey. They see the sun as they’ve never seen it before, suggesting the knowledge they have gained over the course of their journey.
Themes
Hundreds of thousands of white birds come to land nearby. One bird takes something small and bright in its mouth and transfers it into the old man’s mouth. Edmund asks Ramandu if he has ever seen the lands further east than this island. In fact, Ramandu has—he is a retired star who used to hang in the sky. Ramandu tells Caspian that Lord Revilian, Lord Argoz, and Lord Mavramorn are under an enchantment, and the only way to wake them is to go the World’s End, leave a crew member there, and come back.
Ramandu offers Caspian a way to complete his journey to find the seven lords, but it comes with a sacrifice. The concept of sacrifice is central to Christianity, with the most important sacrifice being Jesus’s sacrifice of his own life. And so, while this passage suggests that exploring the unknown and seeking the truth will have rewards, it also requires giving things up.
Themes
Caspian ponders what to do next with Reepicheep. They have found the lords of Narnia that they were searching for, but Caspian feels it’s a shame to turn around so close to the World’s End. Caspian decides to put the question to the whole crew, but Edmund worries what will happen when not everyone seems excited to head towards the World’s End.
Although Caspian has technically completed his goal of finding the seven lords, he still feels that he has unfinished business. This once again connects to Reepicheep’s philosophy of bravery and how being brave is a moral necessity.
Themes
Reepicheep is already determined to go east with or without Caspian and the others. Caspian gives a great speech about how everyone who comes with him will be able to hold on to the title of Dawn Treader for the rest of their lives, and this moves more of the sailors. In the end, just one sailor named Pittencream decides to stay behind. Although he never sees the World’s End, he tells future generations that he did until he almost believes the story himself.
Pittencream shows the dangers of cowardice. Because he is not brave enough to face the World’s End, he must live with the consequences for the rest of his life. Pittencream’s lies about seeing the World’s End may seem convincing, but they also draw attention to how even the most convincing lie can’t change the past.
Themes
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