The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
SEPTEMBER 14, 2014
The Black Cauldron, by Lloyd Alexander, is the second book in
the Chronicles of Prydain series. In the story, the main character, Taran the Assistant
Pig-Keeper, Prince Ellidyr, Adaon the bard, and others, are on a quest to find
and destroy the Black Crochan, a cauldron the evil Arawn uses to create his
deathless warriors, the Cauldron-Born.
Throughout the book, Ellidyr changes from being constantly mean and
snotty to Taran, and even betraying him, to sacrificing himself for the good
cause.
In the beginning of the
story, Ellidyr was mean to Taran, calling him Pig-boy instead of Taran or
Assistant Pig-Keeper, and being nasty and grumpy to everyone in general. In the text, it says, “‘Must I hear reproof
from a pig-boy?’ Ellidyr retorted. “Must
I let a scullery maid cost me my head?’” (pg. 38). Ellidyr was mean to everyone, especially
Taran, and not at all likable. The reason
Ellidyr was mean was because of all the weight he was carrying. He felt that he needed to be worthy of his
pride that he was a prince. Adaon the
bard said that he dreamed of Ellidyr having a black beast on his shoulders, a
symbol for the burden of responsibility the prince was carrying. In the text, it says, “‘Last night I dreamed
of us all,’ Adaon said, thoughtfully fingering the iron clasp at his throat.
‘You [Ellidyr] I saw with a black beast on your throat. Beware, Ellidyr, lest it swallow you up!’” (pg.
27). Ellidyr was proud to be a prince
but felt he needed to live up to that pride and believes that he is not doing
enough.
By the end of the story,
Ellidyr freed himself from the black beast, and changed from being nasty and
cruel to being compassionate, even sacrificing himself to help Taran and help
defeat Arawn. He understood about the
black beast Adaon told him about, instead of saying things like, “‘Spare me
from pig-boys and dreamers!’” (pg. 27) and that the black beast was just a
stupid untrue dream. He also overcame
the black beast and died proud. He became less stressed because he was carrying
a lighter burden. He finally felt like
he had lived up to his pride. In the text, it says, “‘The black beast is gone
from you, Prince of Pen-Llarcau,’ he [Taran] murmured.” (pg. 173).
Ellidyr also became much
kinder and less quick to put others down.
He regretted what he had done, and apologized to Taran. The text says, “‘I [Ellidyr] am truly
sorry. I would make up all the ill I
have done all of you [Taran].’” (pg. 168). Ellidyr finally realized what he had done
wrong, and also understood what the black beast symbolized. He also sacrificed himself to help the heroes
in the story. The text says that, “A few
paces from the cauldron, struggling madly, Ellidyr broke free of the
warriors. Then, with a cry, he flung
himself into the Crochan’s gaping mouth” (pg. 172). When somebody jumps into the Black Crochan,
alive and knowing what they’re doing, they die, but the cauldron is destroyed,
and when Ellidyr jumped in, it wasn’t any different. Ellidyr changed and
sacrificed himself to destroy the Crochan and help Taran.
Throughout the book, Ellidyr
changed from being uncaring and calling everyone names, especially Taran, to
being more understanding and kind, and eventually even killing himself so he
could destroy the Crochan, to help Taran and the heroes of the story. He also started out carrying the black beast
on his shoulders, symbolizing all the feelings of pride and feeling pressured
to live up to that pride, but by the end, understood the black beast more
clearly and died feeling that he had lived up to the pride he wanted.
