The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

C. S. Lewis

50 pages 1-hour read

C. S. Lewis

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1952

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

A sullen and unpleasant boy who prefers books about facts and logic over fictional stories. He treats his relatives poorly and constantly complains about his sudden displacement aboard a magical ship. He acts selfishly and keeps a spiteful diary documenting his perceived mistreatment by the crew.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Lucy Pevensie

Cousin of Edmund Pevensie

Cousin of Peter Pevensie

Cousin of Susan Pevensie

Reluctant Traveling Companion of King Caspian

Target of Mockery from Reepicheep

Spiritually Guided by Aslan

The youngest of the Pevensie siblings. She possesses a deeply rooted faith in Narnia and its creator. She carries a magical healing cordial gifted to her during a previous adventure. Her cheerful disposition provides moral support to her companions on the ship.

Key Relationships

Sister of Edmund Pevensie

Sister of Peter Pevensie

Sister of Susan Pevensie

Cousin of Eustace Scrubb

Close Friend of King Caspian

Deeply Devoted to Aslan

Guest of Coriakin

Schoolmate of Marjorie

The third Pevensie sibling. He has grown into a brave young man following his past experiences. He understands what it feels like to make mistakes, giving him patience when dealing with difficult people. He provides a stabilizing presence among the crew as they travel through unknown waters.

Key Relationships

Brother of Lucy Pevensie

Brother of Peter Pevensie

Brother of Susan Pevensie

Cousin of Eustace Scrubb

Friend and Former Fellow Ruler of King Caspian

Follower of Aslan

Friend of Reepicheep

The young ruler of Narnia. He leads an expedition aboard his ship to find his father's missing friends. He strives to be a fair leader and works to correct the wrongs of his kingdom's past. He occasionally struggles with the temptation of wealth but remains committed to doing his duty.

Key Relationships

Friend of Lucy Pevensie

Friend of Edmund Pevensie

Traveling Companion of Eustace Scrubb

Commander of Lord Drinian

Friend and Leader of Reepicheep

Devoted Subject of Aslan

Nephew of Miraz

Ruler of Lord Bern

A large talking mouse who serves as a fiercely proud warrior. He wears a thin band of gold around his head and a crimson feather, carrying himself with immense dignity. He volunteers for the voyage because a childhood prophecy foretold he would find his heart's desire in the far east.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

Frequently Irritated by Eustace Scrubb

Friend of Lucy Pevensie

Friend of Edmund Pevensie

Faithful Follower of Aslan

Fellow Crew Member of Lord Drinian

The powerful anthropomorphic lion who serves as the divine protector of Narnia. He intervenes mostly indirectly, guiding characters toward moral choices and offering comfort or correction. His presence sets the spiritual foundation for the world and the rules by which it operates.

Key Relationships

Spiritual Guide to Lucy Pevensie

Spiritual Guide to Edmund Pevensie

Divine Authority over King Caspian

Spiritual Guide to Eustace Scrubb

Revered by Reepicheep

Master of Coriakin

Supporting Characters

The pragmatic and capable captain of the ship. He handles the practical matters of sailing and crew management. He acts as a grounded voice of reason during the magical and unpredictable journey.

Key Relationships

Captain for King Caspian

Superior of Rhince

Fellow Crew Member of Reepicheep

The first mate on the ship. He assists in the daily operations and steering of the eastward journey.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Lord Drinian

Crew Member for King Caspian

One of the missing seven friends of the late king. He settled in the Lone Islands years ago, establishing a comfortable life. He opposes the local slave trade and works to overthrow the corrupt local government.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

Political Opponent of Governor Gumpas

The greedy leader of the Lone Islands. He permits the illegal trade of enslaved people because it brings wealth to his territory, ignoring the older laws of the kingdom he supposedly serves.

Key Relationships

Insubordinate Subject of King Caspian

Political Rival of Lord Bern

The wicked uncle of the current monarch. Before his defeat, he seized the throne and banished seven loyal lords to consolidate his power.

Key Relationships

Uncle of King Caspian

A mysterious magician who governs a group of strange creatures on a remote island. He acts as a caretaker for his unruly subjects, though they often misunderstand his intentions and view him as a tyrant.

Key Relationships

Servant of Aslan

An elderly man living on an eastern island. He is slowly regaining his youth through the daily consumption of magical fire-berries.

Key Relationships

Host and Guide to King Caspian

Servant of Aslan

One of the seven banished noblemen whom the royal expedition seeks. He encounters the crew during their journey through a particularly dark and terrifying section of the ocean.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

One of the missing seven lords. His fate is a mystery that the crew attempts to solve during their eastward voyage.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

Another of the banished noblemen. The royal expedition searches for traces of his whereabouts as they explore uncharted islands.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

Part of the missing group of noblemen whom the young ruler seeks to find and rescue.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

One of the seven missing men from the royal court. The crew hopes to uncover his location during their travels.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

A member of the exiled group of lords. He is a primary objective of the ship's rescue mission.

Key Relationships

Loyal Subject of King Caspian

The eldest Pevensie sibling. He is busy working hard for an exam under the tutelage of Professor Kirke and does not participate in the maritime adventure.

Key Relationships

Brother of Lucy Pevensie

Brother of Edmund Pevensie

Brother of Susan Pevensie

Cousin of Eustace Scrubb

The second oldest of the Pevensie siblings. She is absent from this adventure, allowing her younger siblings to take the lead in Narnia.

Key Relationships

Sister of Lucy Pevensie

Sister of Edmund Pevensie

Sister of Peter Pevensie

Cousin of Eustace Scrubb

A schoolmate of Lucy's back in England. Her friendship with Lucy is tested by magical means during the voyage.

Key Relationships

Friend of Lucy Pevensie