The Horse and His Boy

by C. S. Lewis

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Student Question

What was Lasaraleen's plan for Aravis's escape from Tashbaan in The Horse and His Boy?

Quick answer:

Lasaraleen's plan for Aravis's escape from Tashbaan involves using her social status to move freely within the palace. She intends to lead Aravis to a garden with a water-door to the river, where they can take a boat to leave the city. Lasaraleen plans to cover their escape by pretending it's part of her notorious jokes if caught. Additionally, Aravis arranges for a groom to lead the horses out, facilitating their escape.

Expert Answers

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In C. S. Lewis’s The Horse and His Boy, Lasaraleen cannot understand why Aravis would not want to get married. Yet Aravis is determined to avoid the marriage her father has arranged for her. That is why she is running away. Yet now she is stuck in Tashbaan, and Lasaraleen comes up with a plan to help her friend escape.

Lasaraleen is well-known at the palace and can move about freely. Lasaraleen will take her friend into a particular garden that has a little water-door out to the river. There are some boats always tied nearby, and they can use one of those to get Aravis out of the city. Lasaraleen assures her friend that even if they are caught, she can just pretend that she is in the middle of one of her jokes. She is almost famous for them.

Aravis will have a groom lead the horses out of the city. No one would question this at all. Aravis speaks to the horses about it. Of course, things do not go exactly as planned, but Aravis does get out of the city and continues on her journey.

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