Change in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I first purchased a set of the Chronicles when I was in College in 1973. In that set, in "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," after the Lord is rescued from the island where dreams come true, the boon he asks of Caspian is that no one be allowed to ever ask him what he saw on that island. Caspian grants the boon, saying with a shudder that he can't imagine anyone wanting to know. The Dawn Treader sails away from the island and darkness, leaving it behind (ie, it is not destroyed).

My wife recently purchased a new set of Chronicles. In the new set, the boon the lord asks of Caspian is that Caspian would never take him back to the island. When they turn to look, the island and darkness have disappered (implication that Aslan as the albatross destroyed the island).

Why the difference? Does anyone know? Lewis died in 1963, so he certainly was not around after 1973 (when I got my original set) to make changes. Thanks for any insights.

In the original British editions, the Dark Island was destroyed. Lewis only made the change for the American editions, although the more recent US editions have all reverted back to the British text. Same with Fenris Ulf/Maugrim in LWW.

Thanks for the info.

Why was the change made for some American editions? Was it requested by the publishers? It justs seems like an odd thing to do.

Here's a quote

The Dark Island seems to be the localization of childrens' fear of the dark...So important did Lewis consider night-fears that he extensively revised the end of this twelfth chapter for the American edition of VDT. His aim was to correct any impression that the British editions might have given that night-fears are unreal and ultimately laughable and that they can be obliterated altogether. Thus in the American edition, the Dark Island and its darkness do not vanish but the size diminishes gradually as the Dawn Treader sails away.

I don't know, I kind of prefer the British version personally, but they both have their merits.

Thanks again. I appreciate the help.

WaltFSA said:

In the new set, the boon the lord asks of Caspian is that Caspian would never take him back to the island. When they turn to look, the island and darkness have disappered (implication that Aslan as the albatross destroyed the island).

Click to expand...

Very interesting! This is the version I've read. I never knew there was another version. Hmm.....wonder if there are any other differences out there?

Kazakhrider said:

Here's a quote

The Dark Island seems to be the localization of childrens' fear of the dark...So important did Lewis consider night-fears that he extensively revised the end of this twelfth chapter for the American edition of VDT. His aim was to correct any impression that the British editions might have given that night-fears are unreal and ultimately laughable and that they can be obliterated altogether. Thus in the American edition, the Dark Island and its darkness do not vanish but the size diminishes gradually as the Dawn Treader sails away.

I don't know, I kind of prefer the British version personally, but they both have their merits.

Click to expand...

K, could you please post your reference source by title and author. I think I recognize your quotation as being from Paul Ford's COMPANION TO NARNIA, but it would be nice that he get recognition for his research, or whomever wrote your quotation. THANKS!!!!

Authors really appreciate that!

Oh, yep sorry, it's from Companion to Narnia

inked said:

K, could you please post your reference source by title and author. I think I recognize your quotation as being from Paul Ford's COMPANION TO NARNIA, but it would be nice that he get recognition for his research, or whomever wrote your quotation. THANKS!!!!

Authors really appreciate that!

Click to expand...

ROTFL @ Inked. I just finished my last doctoral seminar and am starting to write my dissertation (well, project in my case, but it is about the same thing). I thought I could go SOMEWHERE and not have to think about documenting sources! THANKS INKED. LOL

You are right though. It needs to happen.

Having written a thesis on original research for my Masters in Microbiology, Meraby, you have my utmost sympathy and empathy. And, all unsolicited, I will give you the best advice I ever got (courtesy of Dr. Ann Baxter, Clemson University, one of my advisors, 1979): "The best way to get a thesis written is to apply the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair and do it!"