The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Chapter 9 “The Island of the Voices”

C.S. Lewis Read-Along, Vol. 3, Issue 10

Pauline Baynes illustration

Chapter 9 “The Island of the Voices”

Background: In much of his writing, Lewis wants us to recognize that there are indeed enemies all around us that we cannot see but who are no less out to destroy us. It was his insistence on this traditional Christian doctrine that was one of the initial sparks of what became the flame of his influence.

Foreground: Despite the threats of the voices and their description of the magician, Lucy, having been on several Narnian adventures now, is not convinced that the unseen people on the island are evil. Of the magician, she tells Caspian that “he mayn’t be as bad as they make out.” To Eustace, she defends the voices. “I’m sure they’re not treacherous. They’re not like that at all.” Lucy understands living in an enchanted world better than most.

Quote: “‘Her Majesty is in the right,’ said Reepicheep. ‘If we had any assurance of saving her by battle, our duty would be very plain. It appears to me that we have none. And the service they ask of her is in no way contrary to her Majesty’s honor, but a noble and heroic act. If the Queen’s heart moves her to risk the magician, I will not speak against it.’”

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Background: “The Island of the Voices”

How do you confront “invisible enemies,” as those from the Dawn Treader face on their latest island? Eustace, growing in wisdom, reminds everyone that it is no good “trying to hide from people you can’t see. They may be all round us.”

In much of his writing, Lewis wants us to recognize that there are indeed enemies all around us that we cannot see but who are no less out to destroy us. It was his insistence on this traditional Christian doctrine that was one of the initial sparks of what became the flame of his influence.

The Screwtape Letters first ran as weekly installments in The Guardian, a weekly Church of England newspaper, from May to November 1941.¹ Due to their popularity, they were quickly republished as a book in England in 1942 and the United States in 1943.

In 1947, Lewis was featured on the cover of TIME magazine in an iconic illustration of his face with an angel over one shoulder and a devil over the other. Lewis despised the cover story, but it did expand his audience in America.