The Door in the Wall

As Robin recovers from his illness, he takes up woodcarving. His first project is a toy boat, and it’s a success. He then tries a more difficult challenge, constructing a Christian cross that must be fit together with a special technique. Getting the crosspieces to match frustrates the boy, who angrily tosses wood and chisel across the carpentry shop. He calms down, starts again, and succeeds in creating the work.

His next project is a set of crutches; with these, Robin once again can move about quickly. The skills that he developed through carving allow him to build objects that restore his mobility on land. Robin’s skills advance to allow him to build a small harp like the one that John-go-in-the-Wynd plays. John helps him with the project, the most complex one so far. At the story’s end, Robin’s harp proves a great success, and he’s making good progress building another stringed instrument, a viol.

The carving projects grow in complexity, paralleling the growth in Robin’s ability to cope with the challenges of his life. The work provides him with a valuable skill that he can use productively to help himself and others, and it allows him to continue building a sense of community with the monks who work alongside him. His projects represent his maturation and progress.

Lindsay is the castle town where Robin goes to begin his training as a knight. Though it is carefully protected by walls and soldiers, the town still suffers an attack, and Robin must sneak through enemy lines to call for reinforcements. The town, which appears to be strong but is nearly toppled by invaders, contrasts with Robin, a child who appears weak but proves to be supremely determined and capable.