The Blue Sword Essay Research Paper The

The Blue Sword Essay, Research Paper

The Blue Sword

Author: The Blue Sword was written by Robin McKinley, the

author of other books, such as The Hero and the Crown. Both of

these books chronicle the continent of Daria.

Setting: Most of the book takes place in the small nation of Damar.

There are also scenes in an outpost in the Damarian desert, in

race’s, known as the Homelanders, outpost. One or two chapters

also take place in the far north.

Note: Harry Crewe is female in case you don’t pick that up.

Plot: An orphan young women, ‘Harry’ Crewe (Harry is what she

preferred to be called) is sent to a remote outpost of the

Homelander empire. The Homelanders are a very British-like race

of humans with about the technological ability of the mid 1800s.

The fort surrounds the town of Istan. At the residency Harry is

adopted by Sir Charles, and Lady Amelia, there the story begins.

Harry is discontented with life in Istan, she finds it boring and

mundane, any chance for excitement quickly catches her attention.

Damar, a medieval country that has been partly overrun by the

Homelanders, is threatened by the Northerners, a race of human,

and almost-human warriors.

Corlath, king of Damar, comes Istan to ask for the Homelander’s

help in closing his mountain passes against the threat. With his

small population, his army is not large enough to beat off a

concentrated Northern assault. Sir Charles, and Colonel Jack

Dedham, leader of the Homelander forces at the fort, receive

Corlath and offer him an insulting treaty. If he gives his country up,

his population will not be slaughtered. The Damarian king does not

take this lightly, he storms out as the Homelanders rush after him

to try to save the meeting.

As Corlath mounts his horse, he sees Harry Crewe and his

kelar, a type of sorcery that some Damarians are blessed with. The

Gift, as it is known, sometimes grants it’s users powers, and

sometimes doesn’t. Corlath’s kelar tells him that he must bring

Harry back to his city, it doesn’t explain why.

That night Corlath sneaks into Istan and steals Harry away. He

rides for many hours to a camp set up by his riders. At the feast

that night, he passes around the meeldtar, also known as the water

of sigh. This induces visions on all of those who have kelar. When

Harry tastes it, she collapses and sees scenes of a great battle, she

also uses an ancient language still spoken by few and one of which

she would have no way on learning.

After several nights in the camp she is formally introduced to

Mathin, one of Corlath’s riders. He teaches her the language of

Damar and they begin to forge a strong friendship. After about two

weeks of training in the camp, Mathin takes her away from the