Downward of the Gorge explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Loss

  The Narrator's deep love for Naani is shown through his care, kisses, and desire to protect her, even in exhaustion.

• Hope in Despair

  Despite the perilous journey and weariness, the Narrator finds hope in reaching a safe cave and later seeing the light of the Country of the Seas.

• Isolation and Community

  The Narrator and Naani are isolated in the Gorge, but their bond and mutual care create a small community of two against the hostile environment.

Characters to notice

• The Narrator

  Carries Naani down the Gorge, exhausted, finds a cave, wakes Naani, and later blocks the cave with boulders.

• Naani

  Carried by the Narrator, wakes from sleep, kisses him, and later prepares for rest, planning to wake early to prepare food.

• The Diskos

  Mentioned as a weapon ready for defense against monsters.

Key passages

• “Now I carried the Maid an hour downward of the Gorge, as I did say; and I was then grown so weary that I near fell, as I walked, and stumbled everywhile, because that I had lost somewhat of guiding in my feet, the which did show mine utter alackness.”

  After carrying Naani down the Gorge for an hour, I was so exhausted that I nearly fell and stumbled often, my feet no longer steady, revealing my complete fatigue.

  The Narrator's extreme weariness is emphasized as he struggles to continue.

• “And I saw that there was a great and ruddy fire-hole anigh to me; and I was all sure that I had perceived certain caves in the wall of the Gorge, near to that fire, as I past it on mine upward way; and I had been given a mighty longing of heart at that time, that it be given to me that I should bring safe Mine Own out of the peril that beset her, and have her unto just such a place for her slumber, on the way of our journey backward.”

  I noticed a large red fire-hole nearby and remembered seeing caves in the Gorge wall near it during my outward journey; I had desperately wished then to bring Naani safely to such a place for rest on our return.

  The Narrator recalls his earlier hope and sees it fulfilled as he finds a cave for Naani.

• “And I climbed to the topmost of the caves, and told Mine Own the while that she walk up and down a little; so that she come to a full awakedness; and this I was careful to, because that she should have a need of all her powers that she come safe upward unto”

  I climbed to the highest cave and told Naani to walk around a bit to fully wake up, being careful because she would need all her strength to climb safely.

  The Narrator ensures Naani is fully awake before attempting the climb.

• “And when the fourth day was come, I showed the Maid, in the sixth hour, the ledge that did be my first sleeping place, when that I was entered into the Gorge.”

  On the fourth day, at the sixth hour, I pointed out to Naani the ledge where I had first slept when I entered the Gorge.

  The Narrator marks their progress by recalling a landmark from his outward journey.

• “And we came down presently in the twelfth hour of that journey into the warm light and wonder of the Country of the Seas.”

  At the twelfth hour of our journey, we descended into the warm light and marvel of the Country of the Seas.

  They finally reach the Country of the Seas, a moment of relief and wonder.