11.24.06
The Castle of Llyr: Third Post (Consideration)
Glew is almost the essence of immaturity, like a giant walking baby. His rants of “have you no consideration? no thought for anyone else?” are particularly ironic and infuriating since they come as he is trying to kill one of the companions in a desperate, and wholly ridiculous, attempt to make himself happy. Perhaps most interesting, however, is how he portrays the idea of selfish disregard for others given that thought for others, and selflessness in general, are major themes in primarily this book but also the series as a whole. Eilonwy’s bauble works only when one isn’t thinking of oneself and that discovery is a major part of this book. one of the most important parts of Taran’s character development is his learning to have consideration and think of people besides himself. This book really is the turning point for Taran in that part of his development. Not only is this the book where he first recognizes his love for Eilonwy, but characters like Prince Rhun, Glew and even Llyan teach him to look beyond his first impressions in new ways and Eilonwy’s bauble illuminates the lesson for him (literally). Even the quest itself, to save Eilonwy, is conducive to encouraging Taran to think of others. Every misadventure along the way reinforces this lesson and half-way through the book it’s clear that though he may have a ways to go in his journey of development yet, Taran has become quite a caring, compassionate person. So when Glew accuses Taran and the others of not thinking of anyone else we know that at least as regards Taran he is very wrong. As a kid I was always angry at Glew for those words, dispite having said similar ones to Taran in the first book myself! It’s because by this point I knew that they were far from justified.