The Voyage of the Dawn Treader | Chapter 3: The Lone Islands

Chapter Summary:

The chapter begins with the company of the Dawn Treader spotting the Lone Islands--a cluster of three islands, Felimath, Droon, and Avra. Caspian suggests that to stretch their legs, they could get off at Felimath, walk across, and then have the Dawn Treader pick them up on the other side. When they reach Felimath, Caspian, Reepicheep, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace leave the boat and begin to walk. 

Soon, they come across a group of men. As they approach, Caspian tells everyone to keep their identities concealed, just in case. These men turn out to be slave dealers--the company of five are quickly bound by ropes, and forced to march--they are headed to a slave ship. On the way, a Lord stops them and bargains to purchase Caspian. Reepicheep, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace are then taken to the slave ship with other prisoners, until they can be sold at a market the next day.

Meanwhile, the Lord who purchased Caspian told Caspian that he had purchased him because he looked like King Caspian of Narnia. Quickly, Caspian reveals his identity. Caspian proves who he is by revealing that he is certain that this Lord is one of the seven lords that he is searching for, who were sent away by King Miraz. Indeed, the man who purchased him is Lord Bern--one of the seven. Lord Bern gives Caspian advice not to immediately seek out the Governor of the Lone Islands (Gumpas), who might not be too happy to hear that a King of Narnia has come to the islands.

Caspian then blows his horn to call the Dawn Treader to him and to shore. Caspian and Lord Bern get on deck and Caspian explains the situation to Drinian. Lord Bern tells Drinian to go to Avra--they do so, and enjoy a great feast at Lord Bern's home. 

Reflection:

Rarely after reading a chapter have I had so little to say... But I'll give it my best shot. [Ten minute pause.] This chapter is basically a plot-mover. From what I'm seeing, there is no significant character development of any kind, and nothing out of the ordinary in the way of theme, diction, imagery, etc. 

But, I suppose there is a decent topic for today's discussion: Foresight. Let's talk a bit about Caspian's foresight. Luckily, Caspian is smart enough to tell the others that he does not want to reveal their identities--after all, who knows how the Lone Islands are being ruled, after not having intervention from Narnian Kings/Queens for hundreds of years. This stroke of foresight allows Caspian to be sold to Lord Bern, who in essence saves Caspian from the slave traders--and this in turn will likely be the reason that Reepicheep, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace still stand a chance. 

Foresight is a delightful thing to have a little (or a lot) of in real life as well, which really makes this an applicable lesson to the young reader. We can learn a great deal from the knowledge that our actions have consequences. But we can learn even more from the knowledge that a lack of word/action can also have consequences. This is the case with Caspian--it is not what he does that gives him his freedom--it is what he doesn't do (reveal himself as a King of Narnia) that ultimately saves his butt.

It is one thing for a child to sit back and think, "If I throw this rock at that kid over there, I will get in trouble." It is another thing all together for a child to sit back and think, "If I don't throw this rock at that kid over there, I could get a good grade for my conduct this week." The second involves a much higher level of thinking on the part of the child--and that is what Caspian is demonstrating to us. 

It is much like playing my favorite board game ever--the Settlers of Catan. It is good that I can lose a game and reflect on why I have lost to improve my performance for next time. And it is a great thing for me to win a game and reflect on why I won. But it is far better to be starting a game and know exactly what I should do to give myself the best shot at winning. And that is how to win consistently. So kudos to you, Caspian, you've won the game.