The Horse and His Boy | Chapter 1: How Shasta Set Out On His Travels

Chapter Summary:

This chapter begins by saying that this is a story that occurred in Calormen (a land south of Narnia) and Narnia during the Golden Age of Narnia, when Peter and his siblings were Kings and Queens of Narnia.

Shasta is a young boy who lives in Calormen with his (supposed) father--a fisherman named Arsheesh. Shasta is treated as a servant, and has a large number of chores and responsibilities. Arsheesh is sometimes kind and patient with Shasta, but at other times is harsh and cruel. Shasta knows nothing of the land to the North, but is very interested in it. The land to the South does not interest him.

One day, a visitor arrives--a Taarkan (a great lord) from the south. The visitor stays with Arsheesh, who sends Shasta out of the cottage for the night. Shasta then overhears the Taarkan and Arsheesh discussing Shasta. Arsheesh tells the Taarkan that he had found Shasta in his dead father's arms in a lifeboat on the river. This explains why Shasta is more pale than others from Calormen--he is not native to the area. The Taarkan and Arsheesh then bargain/negotiate to have Shasta sold to the Taarkan.

Shasta goes to the stable and speaks to the horse on which the Taarkan had arrived, saying that he wished he knew what kind of man the Taarkan was. To Shasta's surprise, the horse replies to him. The horse says that it is from Narnia, but had been kidnapped long ago. The horse says that the Taarkan is a cruel man, and that this is the chance for both of them to escape. 

They wait until it is night, and both the Taarkan and Arsheesh are asleep. Shasta takes the saddle from the stable and puts it on the horse, following the horse's instructions. This is the first time Shasta has ridden a horse, and the horse gives him some lessons. The horse says that its name is Bree (for short). The two leave a false trail to the south, but then head north without leaving a trail. 

Reflection:

Immediately my gut reaction for a reflection topic is simply how incredibly different this story is from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. For one, the entire land of Calormen--the lifestyle, the people, the land, the trading, the servitude/slavery--is as different from Narnia as the Middle East is from rural Nebraska. For really the first time, the reader realizes that the lands casually mentioned beyond Narnia in the first two novels are actual places with actual people, who live completely different lives than the peoples of Narnia. And aside from all of this, their way of speech is different as well. The world of Narnia is much more simple (ideal for a children's story)--here in Calormen, they say things like "I am wearied with your loquacity" (p. 141). Even the narrator has an entirely different tone and way of speaking, which is surprising and interesting. It is as if the narrator is even part of the culture that is Calormen.

Another interesting point to consider as we begin this novel is the title of the book: The Horse and His Boy. Notice that the title is not The Boy and His Horse. We have only seen a small bit of interaction between Bree and Shasta, but it is already very much apparent who is in charge in this relationship. As Shasta is preparing the saddle and riding equipment, Bree is the one giving Shasta instructions. Bree makes it entirely clear to Shasta that he is to never touch the reins and is instructed to take the spurs off his boots. Bree plans to be the one in charge of this journey, and will obviously not tolerate instruction or cruelty from Shasta. Shasta, luckily, follows Bree's instructions. I think that if Shasta did not, Bree would have made the journey on his own.

So, if nothing else is clear thus far, we know without a doubt that Narnia is just one country in its world, and that on this journey that will be had (because there is obviously an impending journey), the horse--Bree--is in charge. We can assume much more as well--that there is a great chance of a chase/pursue plot along the way, and that eventually Bree and Shasta will reach Narnia. But of course the adventure is in the journey and not the destination, and I think that is what we are in store for.

I admit that this is the story that I have the least memory of out of all seven books, so it will be much more of a challenge to summarize the important information and pull out reflection topics--but I think it will make the reflections more interesting to write, as I am learning more as I go. Most everyone knows the general plot of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe--not so with this text. It will be fun to explore a new part of the Narnian world, and I hope you will read along.