In Prince Caspian, the horn symbolizes the importance of faith and belief. The horn itself is magical, and it can summon help whenever someone blows on it. But because it is magical, the timing and form of that help isn’t clear before it arrives. Therefore, anyone using the horn must first believe in its abilities and then must trust—that is, have faith—that it will work. When Prince Caspian blows the horn, it summons Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy to Narnia. But because the results aren’t immediately discernable, Nikabrik soon loses faith in the horn’s efficacy. In contrast, Trufflehunter (and to a lesser extent, Trumpkin) believe it will work, and their faith is rewarded with an Old Narnian victory in the war against the Telmarine oppressors.
Horn Quotes in Prince Caspian
“I won’t go,” said Nikabrik. With all these Humans and beasts about, there must be a Dwarf here to see that the Dwarves are fairly treated.”
“Thimbles and thunderstorms!” cried Trumpkin in a rage. “Is that how you speak to the King? Send me, Sire, I’ll go.”
“But I thought you didn’t believe in the Horn, Trumpkin,” said Caspian.
“No more I do, your Majesty. But what’s that got to do with it? I might as well die on a wild goose chase as die here. You are my King. I know the difference between giving advice and taking orders. You’ve had my advice, and now it’s the time for orders.”
“I will never forget this, Trumpkin,” said Caspian.
“I blew it when first I had a breathing space,” [said Caspian].
“I’m not likely to forget it,” came the angry voice, “when my Dwarfs bore the brunt of the attack and one in five of them fell,” [said Nikabrik].
“For shame, Dwarf,” came [Trufflehunter’s] thick voice […]. “We all did as much as the Dwarfs and none more than the King.”
“Tell that tale your own way for all I care,” answered Nikabrik. “But whether it was that the Horn was blown too late, or whether there was no magic in it, no help has come. You, you great clerk, you master magician, you know-all; are you still asking us to hang our hopes on Aslan and King Peter and all the rest of it?”
“I must confess—I cannot deny it—that I am deeply disappointed with the results of the operation,” came the answer [from Doctor Cornelius].
“And anyway,” Nikabrik continued, “what came of the Kings and their reign? They faded too. But it’s very different with the Witch. They say she ruled for a hundred years: a hundred years of winter. There’s power, if you like. There’s something practical.”
“But, […] said the King, “haven’t we always been told that she was the worst enemy of all? […].”
“Perhaps,” said Nikabrik in a cold voice. “Perhaps she was for you humans […]. Perhaps she was for some of the beasts. She stamped out the Beavers, I dare say; at least there are none of them in Narnia now. But she got on all right with us Dwarfs. I’m a Dwarf and I stand by my own people. We’re not afraid of the Witch.”
“But you’ve joined with us,” said Trufflehunter.
“Yes, and a lot of good it has done my people, so far,” snapped Nikabrik.
Horn Symbol Timeline in Prince Caspian
