The Magic City · Chapter
XII: The End explained
Philip and Lucy witness Caesar's victory over the barbarians and the return of all characters to the book.
What happens
Philip and Lucy witness Caesar's victory over the barbarians and the return of all characters to the book. Caesar sentences the Pretenderette to learn to be loved. Philip is crowned king, then he and Lucy build a model house to return home, saying goodbye to Mr. Noah and the Magic City.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Redemption
Caesar's sentence offers the Pretenderette a chance to earn love and redemption through penance.
Bravery and Selflessness
The Pretenderette's courage is acknowledged by Caesar, and Philip's desire to act alone shows his bravery.
Friendship and Cooperation
Philip and Lucy reconcile and work together to witness the battle and build the house for their return.
Characters to notice
- Philip Haldane
Philip calls Caesar, witnesses the battle, is crowned king, and builds the house to return home.
- Lucy
Lucy reconciles with Philip, sends the parrot to Mr. Noah, speaks to Caesar, and helps build the house.
- Julius Caesar
Caesar leads the Romans, defeats the barbarians, sentences the Pretenderette, and bids farewell to the children.
- The Pretenderette
The Pretenderette is captured, explains her motives, and is sentenced to make herself beloved.
- Noah
Mr. Noah arrives by elephant, crowns Philip king, and helps the children build the house to return home.
- The Great Sloth
Mentioned in the Pretenderette's sentence; she is to teach the Great Sloth to like his work.
Key passages
“thank you! thank you! said Philip; “how splendid you are. I’ll swot up my Latin like anything next term, so as to read about you.””
Philip expresses gratitude to Caesar and vows to study Latin diligently to read about him.
Philip's admiration for Caesar motivates his academic commitment.
“You are condemned,” said Caesar calmly, “to make yourself beloved.”
Caesar sentences the Pretenderette to earn the love of others.
Caesar's judgment emphasizes redemption through relationships.
“And now,” said Mr. Noah when it was all over, “I regret to inform you that we must part. Polistarchia is a Republic, and of course in a republic kings and queens are not permitted to exist.”
Mr. Noah announces that Philip and Lucy must leave because the republic cannot have a king and queen.
The political structure of Polistarchia forces the children's departure.