The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis details the continuing exploits of Lucy and Edmund in the magical land of Narnia. This book is a high-seas adventure filled with not only the mundane perils that one might find on a sea voyage, but also many dangers that can only exist in a such a wondrous fantasy world.
The primary characters in this book are heroic and good-hearted, and young readers in particular will find them relatable for their innocence. Throughout the novel, they are challenged to choose the path that is right, rather than the one that is simply easy or convenient.
Lewis writes in a way that describes the otherworldly realm of Narnia vividly enough for readers to be immersed in it, but without any long, drawn-out descriptions that might bore his young audience. He utilizes the fantastic nature of the setting to convey several positive messages without seeming preachy or pedantic. It is Lewis’s skill of using purposeful storytelling, with the purpose carefully concealed in an amusing and engaging tale, that has caused this and the entire Narnia series to be cherished for generations by both parents and children.
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None. (Note: The term “making an ass of myself” is used in its traditional non-offensive way and is not tallied.)
Violence/Gore: Characters nearly drown; report of a jousting tournament; report of a pirate attack; fantasy violence scene with swords and unarmed attacks with no major injury (3); minor property damage (table turned over); a character watches an animal die of natural causes; an extended scene where a character sheds his skin and another character helps to pull it off (not gory); a monster attacks the characters with minor injuries and property damage; a dead body is discovered (not graphic); character threatens another with a sword; characters are threatened verbally and with thrown weapons and are kidnapped; a somewhat spooky scene may be disturbing to anyone afraid of the dark.
Sex/Nudity: Characters kiss other characters’ hands as a show of respect a few times; humanoid characters wear only beads, and this is illustrated in one of the pictures in which a female’s breast is shown.
Mature Subject Matter:
Adults and minors drink wine and rum; a cache of beer is mentioned.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Kidnapping; slavery; piracy.
