The Well at the World’s End · Chapter
V: Ralph Cometh to Higham-on-the-Way explained
Ralph arrives at Higham-on-the-Way on St.
What happens
Ralph arrives at Higham-on-the-Way on St. John's Eve, where he is welcomed by a monk and given lodging at the Abbey. He observes the Midsummer festivities, including a play with a dragon and a maiden, and a balefire celebration. Though impressed by the peace and prosperity of Higham, Ralph decides it is not the end of his journey, as he seeks new adventures. He retires to a chamber decorated with St. Christopher and St. Julian, and sleeps, dreaming of fishing in Upmeads Water.
Themes in this chapter
Home and Wandering
Ralph finds a peaceful, prosperous town but realizes it is not his destination; he continues his quest for adventure.
Quest and Adventure
Ralph's restlessness and desire for new experiences drive him to leave Higham despite its comforts.
Characters to notice
- Ralph of Upmeads
Arrives at Higham-on-the-Way, observes the Midsummer festivities, and decides the peaceful life is not for him.
- The Abbot of Higham
A mighty and wealthy lord, he blesses the people during the Midsummer celebration and smiles kindly at Ralph.
- The Prior
Mentioned as the one who loves young men-at-arms; his garden is heard with thrushes singing.
Key passages
“Nought more befell Ralph to tell of till he came to the end of the Downs and saw Higham lying below him overlooked by a white castle on a knoll, and with a river lapping it about and winding on through its fair green meadows even as Clement had told.”
Ralph traveled without incident until he reached the edge of the Downs and saw Higham below, with a white castle on a hill and a river winding through green meadows, just as Clement had described.
Describes Ralph's first view of Higham.
“Ralph listened to all this, and smiled, and said to himself that to another man this might well be the end of his journey for that time; but for him all this peace and well-being was not enough; for though it were a richer land than Upmeads, yet to the peace and the quiet he was well used, and he had come forth not for the winning of fatter peace, but to try what new thing his youth and his might and his high hope and his good hap might accomplish.”
Ralph smiled to himself, thinking that while another man might be satisfied with Higham's peace, he had left home not for more comfort but to test his youth, strength, hope, and luck in new adventures.
Reveals Ralph's motivation for continuing his journey.
“So he lay down in his bed and slept, and dreamed that he was fishing with an angle in a deep of Upmeads Water; and he caught many fish; but after a while whatsoever he caught was but of gilded paper stuffed with wool, and at last the water itself was gone, and he was casting his angle on to a dry road.”
Ralph dreamed of fishing in Upmeads Water, but the fish turned into gilded paper, and the water vanished, leaving him casting his line on a dry road.
Symbolic dream reflecting Ralph's inner conflict between home and adventure.