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Symbols
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
The Prince Caspian quotes below all refer to the symbol of Horn. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 7: Old Narnia in Danger
Quotes
“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.
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Chapter 12: Sorcery and Sudden Vengeance
Quotes
“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].
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“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.
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Horn Symbol Timeline in Prince Caspian
The timeline below shows where the symbol Horn appears in Prince Caspian. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5: Caspian’s Adventure in the Mountains
...presses two gifts into Caspian’s hands: a small bag of gold and Queen Susan’s legendary horn, which, he assures the prince, will always summon help for the one who blows it....
(full context)
Chapter 7: Old Narnia in Danger
Trufflehunter says that if Caspian is ever going to use the horn, the moment has come. Caspian worries that they might have greater need for help later...
(full context)
Before Caspian blows the horn, Doctor Cornelius has a few final words. No one knows whether the horn will call...
(full context)
...come, respects Caspian as his leader. He volunteers. They agree that Caspian will blow the horn at sunrise, and after a hasty meal, Pattertwig and Trumpkin leave in opposite directions.
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Chapter 8: How They Left the Island
...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...
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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;...
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Chapter 12: Sorcery and Sudden Vengeance
...Peter, and Edmund listen as Prince Caspian explains yet again why he didn’t blow the horn at sunrise; as soon as Trumpkin left, Miraz’s army attacked and Caspian blew the horn...
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...his opinion) to summon King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy with the horn. Or Aslan, for that matter, who wasn’t even always very friendly towards Dwarves or animals...
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