Themes and Characters
An enthralling dragon tale demands not just any dragon, but one that captures the imagination with its terror and might. In Yolen's narrative, the dragon Aredd fits this mold perfectly. "His name in the old tongue was Aredd and his color a dull red. It was not the red of hollyberry or the red of the wild flowering trillium, but the red of a man's lifeblood spilled out upon the sand." Aredd is a solitary creature, emerging from his egg long after humanity believed they had eradicated dragonkind. Ignorant of his heritage and devoid of ancestral knowledge, he is guided solely by instinct—a path that will ultimately lead to his downfall. The crimson hue of his scales, akin to fresh blood, underscores the perilous essence of this formidable beast. His "tail was long and sinewy," while "Great mountains rose upon his back." "His jaws were a furnace that could roast a whole bull. And when he roared, he could be heard like distant thunder throughout the archipelago." This menacing presence is enough to send Lancot fleeing in fear, yet it is profoundly sorrowful to ponder that Aredd is the last of his lineage.
The Sisters and the Hero
At the heart of "Dragonfield" are Tansy, Rosemary, and Sage, sisters intertwined with Lancot, the reluctant hero. These siblings were not initially christened with the names of healing herbs, but as they matured under the guidance of their healer mother, these titles became fitting. Tansy, however, evolves further, earning the moniker "Areddiana, daughter of the dragon," hinting at future revelations within the tale.
Yolen deftly crafts her characters, swiftly guiding them into the story's unfolding drama. Rosemary, the eldest, is a dedicated weaver with an unadorned yet sincere visage, her complexion dark. She resides mostly within the cottage, driven by "her mother's gray eyes and her passion for work, and it annoyed her that others had not." Rosemary's predictability is her hallmark; always preoccupied with work, she finds herself tethered to siblings who lack her fervor for domesticity. Sage, in contrast, is a vision of beauty but possesses a simpler mind. With a golden hue to her skin, she spends her time gazing out towards the sea, dreaming of true love and legendary heroes. It is unexpected yet fitting that Sage discovers love not in a grand adventure, but close to home, in a brave young fisherman.
The Healer's Daughters
May-ma and Da, the parents of the sisters, once had three sons who now lie in rest near their garden. Their third daughter, Tansy, blends seamlessly with her surroundings, "sparkling by a stream, golden in the sunny meadows, mousebrown within the house." Her early curiosity, always dismantling carefully knitted items just to understand their workings, often leads her into trouble and ultimately to a dragon. This curious nature, which draws her to the wild lands and eventually captivates Lancot, showcases a strength that outshines his innate fears.
Tansy's warmth and sensitivity are evident when she empathetically remarks to her father, "Poor May-Ma, she speaks to herself for none of the rest of us really talks to her." This revealing moment sets her apart from her sisters, highlighting her exceptional healing talent. Her courage is shown when she fearlessly handles fireweed or flamewort, despite the resulting blisters, demonstrating her relentless quest for knowledge. This makes her a compelling character, someone whose presence promises delight and intrigue.
The Reluctant Hero
Yolen's "Dragonfield" delves into the intriguing concept of a hero beset by fear. As Aredd wreaks havoc upon man and beast, five village lads embark on a quest for a champion to vanquish the...
(This entire section contains 1048 words.)
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dragon. Their search leads them to Lancot, who, at first glance, embodies the ideal hero: "They knew him [Lancot] for a hero the moment he stood. He moved like a god, the golden hair rippling down his back. Muscles formed like small mountains on his arms and he could make them walk from shoulder to elbow without the slightest effort." Yet, Lancot is but a facade, a man living off the shadows of false tales of valor, swindling drinks and coin with his boasts. The boys, enamored by the image of heroism, remain oblivious and silent about the dragon's menace.
Yolen intentionally mirrors Lancot's name with the legendary Lancelot, drawing a stark contrast between Lancot's timidity and the renowned knight's battlefield bravery. "He [Lancot] knew he was no god." "Heroes and gods were never afraid and he was deadly afraid every day of his life." Despite his dread and aimless lifestyle, Lancot rises beyond the stereotype of the unintelligent brute. With a sharp mind and a quietly profound spirit, he is far more than he appears.
As Lancot gazes at Tansy by the river's edge, he muses, "Yesterday she [Tansy] appeared no great beauty, yet here amidst the forest, mirroring the hues of earth, water, sky, she was breathtaking indeed." This insight reveals his ability to perceive the enchanting essence that radiates from Tansy. What might seem like a child's pastime—relishing the thrill of a kite soaring—endears Lancot, and his remark reveals that he sees Tansy as a confidant for his innermost, potentially awkward emotions. Tansy swiftly discerns Lancot's soulful character. When he mentions that a mage he encountered termed kites drache, it feels as though, unbeknownst to them, Lancot and Tansy are destined for a profound spiritual bond. "Correspondences," Tansy proclaims. "Like calls to like," she echoes upon learning that drache also signifies kite.
The outcome of their alliance remains an enigma. Throughout "Dragonfield," Yolen has demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice even cherished characters like Da, suggesting that either Tansy or Lancot—or perhaps both—might perish in their quest to confront the dragon. Yet, the evolution of Tansy and Lancot throughout their journey holds greater significance than much of the peril. Tansy discovers the courage to assume responsibility for her own life and choices, while Lancot realizes that he must confront certain truths, rather than flee from them. The dragon's fearsome maw with "teeth as large as tree trunks, as sharp as swords" serves as a stark reminder of the challenges he must face to solidify his connection with Tansy. Yolen's dragons often symbolize humanity's deepest fears of the unknown, and her tales, like "Dragonfield," explore how people grapple with those daunting fears.
