XIV: The Heart's Desire explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Wish Fulfillment and Consequences

  The children's hearts' desire is fulfilled as their parents return, but Rekh-marā's desire for great learning leads to a complex resolution.

• Sacrifice and Selflessness

  The children consider Rekh-marā's fate and the possibility of soul union, reflecting selflessness and cooperation.

• Magic and the Ordinary

  The merging of the Amulet halves and the consultation with the Amulet's voice blend ordinary London life with profound magic.

Characters to notice

• Anthea

  Anthea takes charge, negotiating with Rekh-marā and consulting the Amulet. She shows compassion and leadership.

• Cyril

  Cyril accompanies the group to the magic show and comments on the conjuring compared to Babylonian magic.

• Jane

  Jane is frightened by the postman's knock and later speaks the Name of Power to consult the Amulet.

• Robert

  Robert shows foresight by preparing ropes to bind Rekh-marā and speaks abruptly during the Amulet's consultation.

• The Psammead

  The Psammead advises against living in a time not one's own and comments on the merging of the Amulet halves.

• Rekh-marā

  Rekh-marā confronts the children, is bound, and later agrees to a treaty. His half of the Amulet merges with theirs.

• The Learned Gentleman

  The learned gentleman is present during the Amulet's consultation and shares a meaningful look with Rekh-marā.

• Old Nurse

  Old Nurse suggests the visit to Maskelyne and Cooke's and gives Cyril money for the tickets.

Key passages

• “If I only had time I could tell you lots of things. For instance, how, in spite of the advice of the Psammead, the four children did, one very wet day, go through their Amulet Arch into the golden desert, and there find the great Temple of Baalbec and meet with the Phoenix whom they never thought to see again.”

  The narrator regrets not having time to describe many adventures, such as the children's forbidden journey through the Amulet to Baalbec where they encountered the Phoenix.

  Narrator's aside summarizing omitted adventures.

• “And the lecturer ended up by saying, 'And I hope every boy in this room has in his heart the seeds of courage and heroism and self-sacrifice, and I wish that every one of you may grow up to be noble and brave and unselfish, worthy citizens of this great Empire for whom our soldiers have freely given their lives.' And, of course, this came true—which was a distinct score for Camden Town.”

  The lecturer's wish for the boys to become brave and selfless was magically granted, much to the children's amusement.

  Illustrates the unintended consequences of wishes in the presence of the Psammead.

• “But the light and the voice grew. And the light was the light that no man may look on and live, and the voice was the sweetest and most terrible voice in the world.”

  The Amulet's manifestation intensified into an overwhelming divine presence, both beautiful and fearsome.

  Description of the Amulet's power during the consultation.

• “No one can pass through the Amulet now,' said the beautiful, terrible voice, 'to any land or any time. Only when it was imperfect could such things be. But men may pass through the perfect charm to the perfect union, which is not of time or space.'”

  The Amulet's voice explains that travel through time and space is no longer possible; instead, the perfect Amulet enables spiritual union beyond physical boundaries.

  Key revelation about the Amulet's changed function.