Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Prince Caspian, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Good vs. Evil
Faith and Belief
Power vs. Leadership
Fear and Courage
Summary
Analysis
And that brings, Trumpkin (who is the same Dwarf Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy rescued) almost back to his meeting with them. He tells them how he set off and heard the horn a few hours later, between nine and 10 o’clock (exactly when they were at the train station, the children note). The following night, he got caught by the keeper of Miraz’s easternmost stronghold, who ordered his execution. And when Miraz’s soldiers took Trumpkin “to the ghosts,” Susan rescued him.
Despite Trumpkin’s lack of faith, many circumstances seem to have magically come together to lead him to the children at just the right moment. They appeared in Narnia just as Caspian blew the horn, and they coincidentally saved Trumpkin’s life. Aslan will accomplish his ends regardless of whether people believe in him or not.
Themes
Peter can hardly believe that they were pulled into Narnia by the horn. Lucy replies that if he believes in magic, it shouldn’t be so hard to accept; there lots of stories describing magical creatures being called from one world into another. That’s true, Peter and Edmund reply, but in the stories it’s usually someone in their world doing the calling. And the stories never take the perspective of the magical creature itself. Trumpkin interrupts their excited debate, saying he must go back to tell Caspian that no help has come. Susan protests that they are the help. Lucy exclaims that if Trumpkin hasn’t figured out that they are the ancient kings and queens of Narnia, he “[is] stupid.” Trumpkin finally admits to his “dear little friends” that he expected great warriors, not children.
Interestingly, even the children struggle somewhat to accept the evident truth: that they entered Narnia when Caspian called them and that they were pulled there magically out of thin air, without finding a portal between worlds (as they did on their last trip). But, as their discussion shows, their disbelief cannot change the truth. Trumpkin’s ongoing unwillingness to believe them, despite the evidence before his very eyes, reminds readers of the book’s claim that faith is a voluntary choice. One can choose to believe the truth despite evidence to the contrary, or they can choose to ignore the truth even when it stares them in the face.
Themes
Edmund leaps to his feet and begins to list the military accomplishments of their reign. Peter calmly suggests that they give Trumpkin armor from the treasure room. By the light of Edmund’s torch, the children and Trumpkin descend into the treasure room, where he looks with amazement at the stored riches. They give him a beautiful and valuable suit of armor. They put on their own armor as well, and Edmund and Lucy retrieve their weapons. When they reemerge into the daylight, they already look more like Narnians and less like schoolchildren. In the ruined hall, Edmund challenges Trumpkin, the “great warrior,” to a fencing match. And although Trumpkin patronizingly protests that the blades are too sharp for small children, he eventually agrees.
Edmund attempts to appeal to Trumpkin’s intellect, but Peter understands that they must prove themselves to the doubtful Dwarf with actions rather than words. And they prove their royal status, in part, by demonstrating courage and a willingness to face battle. Challenging Trumpkin allows Edmund to show off his fighting skills. But it also offers the implicit promise that the children will voluntarily risk their own safety—and even their lives—for the good of the country they once ruled.
Themes
Edmund and Trumpkin fight fiercely. If Edmund had attempted the challenge when he first arrived, he would have likely lost, but after a full 24 hours in the Narnian air, much of his muscle memory has returned. Susan (who never could learn to like fighting) yelps and exclaims “Oh, do be careful” until Edmund disarms Trumpkin. Panting a little as he returns his sword to its sheath, Edmund condescendingly asks his “dear little friend” Trumpkin if he’s hurt. For fairness’s sake, Peter asks Trumpkin would fully like to test their skill in a shooting match with Susan. Reluctantly, Trumpkin agrees. She picks an apple so distant he insists it looks more like a cherry. He misses by mere inches, while she skewers it easily.
The fact that Edmund can best Trumpkin in single combat shows the magic of Narnia operating on the children, which allows them to act and behave more like adults than typical schoolchildren. And although Edmund patronizingly turns Trumpkin’s comments about their youth and inexperience back on the Dwarf, it’s also clear that he respects Trumpkin’s fighting skills. The fight also presents another example of Susan’s squeamishness and fear, which seems to be increasing rather than decreasing the longer she’s in Narnia.
Themes
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Trumpkin replies that he knows when he’s been fairly beaten—except the scar from one of his battle wounds does pull a bit when he draws the bow—and Lucy offers to look at it. Under his chainmail and bandage, she finds a festering wound. With one drop of her cordial, Trumpkin discovers to his great amazement that it’s completely cured. Ashamed of making a fool of himself by doubting the children, he apologizes and thanks their majesties for his “life, [his] cure, [his] breakfast—and [his] lesson.” Now that he’s decided to believe in them, Peter declares, it’s time for him to take them to Caspian.
Now all four siblings have proven themselves to Trumpkin: Peter has shown off the High King’s leadership skills, Edmund and Susan have demonstrated their fighting prowess, and Lucy’s cure proves they have access to some of Narnia’s magic. Although the dubious Trumpkin needs to see with his eyes, he humbly accepts the evidence when it’s presented to him.
Themes
Unfortunately, they don’t have many options for their route. Trumpkin’s way will take another two days at least, considering the thick forest and roving enemies. Edmund asks if they need go back the way their “Dear Little Friend” (or D.L.F.—now a fond, rather than derisive, nickname) came. They could row around the coast to Glasswater Creek, then strike north to Aslan’s How, reaching it early the next morning. The children use one of their coats as an improvised bag for apples, take a drink from the well, and go down to the boat with Trumpkin. They’re sad to leave Cair Paravel, which still feels like home even though it’s in ruins.
Earlier in their adventure, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy showed their ability to work together and make decisions communally; now they effortlessly include Trumpkin in their councils, weighing his input as equal to theirs. Although Peter will make a final decision in the case of an impasse, for the most part, the siblings model their responsible and respectful form of leadership by listening to one another and working together.
Themes
Peter suggests that their D.L.F (Trumpkin) steer while he and Edmund row and Susan and Lucy look out for dangers from the bow. Soon the island fades into the distance behind them as they head out to sea. Susan and Lucy reminisce about the voyages they took in their swan-shaped boat back in the old days. The deserted, overgrown shore makes them sad, though, because they remember it when it was open and full of merry Narnians.
As Susan and Lucy reflect on the old days, their memories show what a prospering Narnia could look like. They imagine their past as they row towards Caspian’s future, showing their intent to help him defeat the Telmarine evil and restore Narnia to its former glory.
Themes
