The Horse and His Boy Literary Elements

Children's Fiction

Narnia and its neighboring kingdoms, during the reign of High King Peter

Third person narrator telling the story predominantly from Shasta's point of view

Threatening and frightening with war on the horizon

Narnia, Archenland, Aslan, Cor and Aravis are the protagonists, with Calormen and its forces of evil the antagonists

There is a battle for Archenland and fighting that sees the Narnian army victorious.

Shasta discovers that he is really Prince Cor, heir to the throne of Archenland.

Aravis overhears Rabadash's plan which foreshadows the attack on Archenland and his plan to take Narnia

Aravis says that she has nothing in common with the man she is supposed to marry, which is an understatement as they are on opposing sides in the conflict. He is also too old for her and very obsequious.

Queen Lucy alludes to "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" when she tells the story of how they came to Narnia through a door in the back of an old wardrobe.

The author uses several feline images to represent Aslan as he becomes whatever he is needed; he is shown in the image of a gentle barn cat who can comfort and also in the image of a terrifying lion who can attack. This imagery is also similar to the imagery used to show Jesus as both the lion and the lamb of God.

Aslan is said to be at the same time the most beautiful and the most terrifying thing Cor has ever seen.

There is a parallel between the bravery of Cor and the bravery of his twin, Corin, before the two have any idea that they are related.

The Kingdom of Narnia fought bravely means actually that all of its citizens fought bravely, using Narnia to encompass all who live there

Throughout the book, all of nature is personified, as the author gives not only animals the power of speech but also gives flowers and trees the ability to decide for themselves whether to bloom or not thus personifying them.