42 pages • 1 hour read
Marguerite De AngeliThe Door in the Wall
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1949A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Finding the Door in the Wall
In the midst of a terrible plague, young Robin becomes ill, but his symptoms are different from those of who contract the plague, and he loses the use of his legs. He becomes depressed, but a monk helps him slowly rebuild his life. He learns that, with effort, he can find his way out of nearly any difficulty.
Robin’s initial bout of paralysis takes place during one of the first plagues to strike London. His parents, Sir John and Lady Maud, are away in service to the king and queen. Death is everywhere, and soon there is no one at his home to help him. Robin feels angry despair. Help finally arrives in the form of Brother Luke, a monk who learned of Robin’s plight. He brings food, reassurance, and an important lesson: For every problem that stands before a person like a wall, “there will be a door in it” (16).
At first, Robin bemoans his condition and can’t imagine how it could improve. Brother Luke gently persists in his efforts to reveal future paths to him by giving him small projects to complete. He also introduces him to the other monks, and he takes Robin to a nearby river, where he teaches him to swim using his arms only. Robin shows an interest in woodcarving, and Brother Luke guides him. Before long, he is building a set of crutches to help him move about more easily.
His crutches, his new interests, and his strengthened body each serve as small doorways through the wall of his hopelessness. Robin’s desire to communicate with his faraway father gives Brother Luke a chance to introduce him to reading and writing. Together, they compose a letter to Sir John; this letter begins Robin’s academic education. Luke suggests that reading is a doorway through human limitations.
Accompanied by Luke and John-go-in-the-Wynd, Robin travels overland to the castle town of Lindsay, where he is to begin his training for knighthood. Already, he is able to walk some of the distance, and he finds the various inconveniences, mishaps, and adventures he faces along the way to be thrilling, not odious. His mindset has shifted from seeing limitations to seeking opportunities.
At the castle, Robin makes himself useful. His crutches limit some of the services he can provide, but the greater speed they provide him proves to be an asset, and soon he is a productive member of Sir Peter’s court. He enjoys his studies, becomes a proficient archer, is well-liked, and befriends a dog who becomes his constant companion.
When the castle falls under siege, Robin devises a plan to get through enemy lines and call for reinforcements. The plan works, the siege is broken, and Robin is hailed as a hero. His parents later complete their duties, visit the castle, and reunite happily with their son. Over and over, Robin finds doorways through his problems; he is physically and mentally strong, thriving in his path toward knighthood, and secure in his ties to his family. His trajectory confirms Brother Luke’s metaphor: There is always a way forward through barriers, but he has to seek the opening.
Doing the Hard Thing
Like most children, Robin would rather play than do hard work. To overcome his difficult situation, extra effort—and even discomfort—can give him distinct advantages. This is a difficult lesson to learn, but with help from Brother Luke, Robin learns the value of doing the hard thing, which allows him to become the hero in saving Lindsay from siege.
At the outset in the monastery, Robin doesn’t want to do much of anything after his illness. He spends a lot of time lying in bed. Gently, Brother Luke encourages him to try simple activities that he might enjoy. Woodworking catches Robin’s interest, and it’s easy and fun—at first. As he progresses to more challenging projects, Robin grows frustrated with the difficulties. He even throws one project across the room in his anger. He begins to notice, though, that the challenging projects capture his attention and prove more satisfying to complete. He becomes more patient and reaps the reward of much better results.
Brother Luke also keeps a sharp eye on Robin’s athletic training. Mostly, this involves swimming. Robin enjoys it, but one day the water is especially cold, and the boy protests. Luke points out that when Robin’s father is going into battle, he doesn’t complain that the enemy’s arrows are sharp. Reluctantly, Robin enters the chilly water, quickly gets used to it, and finds himself “glad he had made the effort” (54). Later, when he must swim across an icy river to save Lindsay, the pain is great, but Robin’s training helps him withstand it: “Warmth crept through his body and a feeling of power, as if nothing could be too difficult for him” (92). He could never have accomplished this without his training in doing the hard thing.
By the time of the attack on the castle, Robin is more than ready to take on a big responsibility, one that will risk his life and cause him physical pain. He plans carefully, meets the challenge of the river, talks his way through enemy lines, walks several miles, and, nearly exhausted, delivers to John-go-in-the-Wynd the urgent message about the need for reinforcements. The castle is saved largely because Robin was willing to endure a gauntlet of difficult challenges.
Robin’s physical and emotional challenges present are difficult to overcome, but as he matures, he discovers that many of the most rewarding things in life require hard work. Building his physical strength, learning to use his crutches, and persevering through icy swimming practice and frustrating woodworking lessons are challenging, but these experiences reward him with deep satisfaction, increased resourcefulness, and a more satisfying life. Facing adversity forthrightly transforms Robin from a slightly spoiled boy to a strong and capable young man.
Doing the Good Thing
Robin fears that his parents and others will reject him because of his disability. He especially worries that his father, whose work focuses on physical strength and dexterity, might decide to regard him as unworthy. Robin’s response is to speak honestly about his situation, do what he can to improve it, and focus on how he can be of service to others. He discovers that people love him not because he is tall and knightly but because he is humble, kind, loving, and generous.
At first, Robin’s stay at the monastery is mostly focused on recuperation from illness. Soon, though, he begins to perform small duties around the church. He enjoys these activities, as well as helping the monks who work in the garden, the carpentry shop, and elsewhere in the community. He also carves a puppet for a girl who lives in poverty. With Brother Luke’s help, Robin writes a letter to his father. He speaks honestly about his new disability, reports on developments at the family’s London home, and asks for encouragement and advice: “How, then, shall I do? Send me a letter, I beg you” (31).
Robin enjoys woodcarving. At first, he makes things that entertain or help him, but he soon begins to focus on building items that are useful to other people. His first project is a toy sailboat. When he launches it on a nearby stream, other boys show great interest in it, so he shows them how to make boats for themselves. Later, Robin expresses interest in John’s harp and wants to build one. John helps the boy craft a new instrument and teaches him how to play it. John also teaches him a song, and Robin promises, “When I learn it all I shall sing it for my Lady Constance” (77). When the king and his court visit Sir Peter’s castle, Robin plays the harp and sings to entertain them.
At the castle, Robin proves to be a valuable assistant to both Sir Peter and Lady Constance. He sees to it that they and their children are cared for well. He makes friends with everyone, including the dog D’Ath, who becomes his constant companion. The siege tests his fortitude, but he wants only to save the castle. When his efforts succeed, he is proclaimed a hero, not only because of his great deed, but also because he is without bluster, humble, and wants to help and be useful. He embodies the values that are esteemed in the knight he is training to become. Robin’s helpfulness, good spirits, courage, and humility make him a worthy member of his community.
