The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | Chapter 15: The Wonders of the Last Sea

Chapter Summary:

The Dawn Treader sails on from Ramandu's country. The passengers start to realize that they have less need/desire to eat, sleep, and talk than before. The sun appears closer than ever, and extremely bright.

Lucy looks over the side of the Dawn Treader and notices that the ocean is so clear that she can see the shadow of the ship at the bottom of the ocean. Lucy also notices what looks like roads, and then buildings. Finally, Lucy spots people at the bottom of the ocean. Just as the mer-people notice Lucy, Drinian and Caspian join Lucy on the deck. Lucy points out what she is seeing, and Drinian immediately tells her to act natural--he does not want everyone on board to see them, lest a panic ensue.

Suddenly, a splash is heard. Reepicheep has jumped overboard. Drinian helps hoist Reepicheep back onto the ship. Reepicheep tells everyone that the water is both sweet and drinkable--it is fresh water, not salt water. Everyone drinks the water, and they realize it is more like drinking light than drinking water. After drinking the water, the brightness of the area becomes easier to tolerate. In addition, eating, sleeping, and talking become even less of a priority. The sun grows ever brighter.

Drinian notices that there is no wind, yet the ship is still moving quickly to the east. Caspian and Edmund wonder if they are caught in a strong current that it going to bring them to the edge of the world (and then over it). Reepicheep thinks that after going over the edge, the Dawn Treader will find itself in Aslan's country. Meanwhile, Eustace tells Caspian that their world is round, and Caspian is jealous.

Reflection:

I really enjoy these last few chapters of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, because frankly, things have just started to get entirely weird. We have no antagonist, and it is clear after the mer-people do not raid the ship that there will be no antagonist in this story. With one chapter left, the only antagonist that remains is the possibility of a safe ending to the journey and subsequently a safe journey home--at least, for everyone except perhaps Reepicheep.

The other antagonist is simply the absolute mystery surrounding the voyage. As they move closer and closer to what is likely the end of the world, strange things are happening. Eating, sleeping, and talking are just becoming less necessary. The sun is too bright and too large. There are unheard of civilizations beneath the ocean, which, by the way, is made of sweet fresh water and is as clear as glass. What these are all signs of is not known, nor is the implication really known either. It is all a mystery, and it is unfolding for the characters much in the same way that it is unfolding for the reader. 

And in addition to all of that, there is also the mysterious current. Will the Dawn Treader simply drop off the edge of the world? Unlikely, given that there are still two stories left in the TCON series, and we can't eliminate all of our main characters like that. But really, what of the current? What makes the Dawn Treader move so swiftly to the east if not a strong current due to their location on or near an edge? Time will tell.

Meanwhile, Reepicheep's prophecy that was spoken over him as a young mouse is finally coming true. As Reepicheep comes back on board the Dawn Treader after jumping into the ocean, he reminds us of the prophecy: "'Where the waves grow sweet, Doubt not, Reepicheep, There is the utter East'" (p. 364). So we know that Reepicheep is near to the fulfillment of his prophecy. Of course, by this time, we expect that the fulfillment of this prophecy means that Reepicheep will be left behind, while the Dawn Treader returns home.

Let's head onward to the last chapter of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.