My Essay

This is an essay I wrote for school after I read this book :) Really made me think of all the symbolism in it.  It's amazing to think of how much a person is changed when God takes over in their chaotic lives.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Narnians have taken a journey through the Eastern Ocean to find the seven lost lords who were banished by his evil Uncle Miraz. But many strange and mysterious things happened along the way. The expanse is new and beautiful to them yet evil seems to be lurking everywhere.

      The only way to find the seven lords was by water which was always there. However, the water’s unpredictability required the travelers to venture out in pure faith. They were tested before they even reached Aslan’s Country and yet they stayed loyal. A series of storms threatened their faith and some wanted only to turn back, but others knew that this was the test, and they had to succeed. Eventually they came out on the other side of it, worn but triumphant. Often, we have to go through great trials in order to get to the place we’ve always wanted to be

   Eustace, however, wanted nothing to do with the voyagers. He refused to help overcome the evil or stand for truth. He alienated himself because there was no place for a coward in that strange land. But Eustace didn’t know about Aslan, the kind and powerful lord of Narnia, who never loses an opportunity to teach a valuable lesson. Aslan sees Eustace’s dragony and selfish ways and turns him into one. Eustace must learn patience and loyalty when he considers flying away before the others see him. He is most surprised though when the others try to help him and he realizes what kind friends they have been all along. While he is a dragon he learns what it means to love and help. During his greatest trial, Aslan gave him a chance to become someone better by helping the Narnians through dangerous water. Just as he was giving up hope of ever being a boy again, Aslan appeared to him. Eustace is struck with the fact that without Aslan’s help, he would have never changed.  A beautiful and painful transformation takes place as Aslan strips him of the hard skin of the dragon. He told Eustace to jump into a nearby pool and he feels the refreshing water making him a boy again.  
   King Caspian had been through many trials and yet this one may have proved the hardest. He must make a decision. Will he pass through those waters to Aslan’s Country where everything is perfect, or will he stay and lead his people like a king? With a resolute heart he stood tall and watched Edmund, Lucy, Reepicheep, and Eustace leave the Dawn Treader, watching as his last chance for paradise disappeared over the horizon - he was a king and he had a duty. So now here at the end, the water separated him from his dear friends and yet it gave him hope and courage to start again.

  Through the whole journey the Narnians and Pevensie children formed a strong friendship and learned to overcome the obstacles in their path even when hope was gone. And though separated, their friendship remained in their memories until the end of time.     

“There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."  Aslan