Dark Island

"Mercy! Mercy! Even if you are only one more dream, have mercy. Take me on board. Take me, even if you strike me dead. But in the name of all mercies do not fade away and leave me in this horrible land"

- Rhoop

The Dark Island (also known as "The Island Where Dreams Come True") was a highly mysterious, possibly enchanted area located in the Eastern Ocean. It was basically a region of semi-solid, fog-like darkness, with no obvious shore or land mass. The entire area had the ability to bring dreams to life-a fact which made it a much sought-after location for sailors. Unfortunately, the Dark Island's powers brought dreams, not daydreams, to life-especially "dreams that made you afraid of going back to sleep". As a result, madness was the usual fate to anyone unfortunate enough to enter its shadows...especially when visitors found that getting away was far more difficult than getting in.

Within the darkness around the island, most lights (such as lanterns) looked weak and unnatural, the water appeared inky black, travellers felt extremely cold, and an ominous silence reigned over all, no matter how much noise was made. It is unknown whether the fog around the island is the source of its terrible powers, or if the darkness itself is generated by the island as part of its vile enchantments.

In the books
When the seven Narnian lords were sent out to sea (read: exiled) by King Miraz in search of the end of the world, Lord Rhoop was trapped on this island for a time. Like many seafarers, he at first believed himself on the fabled island of dreams made real. After discovering the true nature of the place, he claimed that he would've "better died or never been born".

Caspian X and his crew encountered the Dark Island on their own voyage to the end of the world in the Dawn Treader. Although most of the crew was reluctant to enter the mysterious fog, Reepicheep insisted that they investigate for the sake of their honor. With Lucy's consent, Caspian agreed, and the Dawn Treader ventured into the darkness with lanterns alight and weapons drawn.

After some time sailing through the abyss, the ship came upon Lord Rhoop, by now so desperate for freedom that he begged to be taken aboard if only to be killed. The crew of the Dawn Treader gladly took him in, where he revealed the nature of the land in the darkness to them. At first, many sailors were overjoyed, thinking that they would be reunited with loved ones, but when Rhoop said that the island brought their dreams (and thus, their worst nightmares) to life, the entire crew ran for the oars and began rowing for their lives.

However, the ship never seemed to make any headway (whether this is panic-induced misdirection or an actual element of the island's power is not indicated), and many crewmen despaired of ever escaping. With terrible sounds echoing in everyone's ears, an unhinged Rhoop declaring that they woud never get away, and hope fading fast, Lucy quietly prayed to Aslan, beseeching his aid.

The creator of Narnia soon responded to the Pevensie's pleas, and the darkness was pierced by a lone beam of light. An albatross emerged from the light (either a transformed Aslan or an avatar of himself) and acted as a guide, allowing Drinian to find the path out of the darkness at last.

Rhoop, nearly speechless with joy, profusely thanked Caspian for saving him from the Dark Island at last. After introducing himself, he requested to never be taken back to the horrible place again (or, alternately, never to be asked what he saw during his stay). Then the Dawn Treader sailed onward, with the island fading away into the distance (either literally or figuratively, depending on the version).

Differences between British and American editions
A substantive change appears in chapter 12, "The Dark Island", where Lewis rewrote the ending.

A side by side comparison of the ending of chapter 12 follows:

Symbolism
WARNING: THEORIES ONLY!

The Dark Island appears to be a manifestation of fear in the world of Narnia. This is supported by the fact that it brings nightmares (which often embody a person's worst fears)to life, as well as the fact that the fearless Reepicheep is the only crewmember completely unaffected by it.

Aslan's intervention appears to symbolize the role of religion in overcoming fear. His aid is invoked by Lucy's prayers, which in themselves assuage some of her fear; he creates a beam of light that draws everyone's undivided attention; his approaching albatross form briefly appears as a cross (and in itself could be seen as a Narnian version of an angel); Drinian steering after it seems similar to a lost soul using God as a base from which to escape negative emotions; and the entire premise of leading a ship out of literal darkness, into twilight, and then open air bears resemblence to accounts of Jesus healing a blind man.

Both endings cement the defeat of fear for the characters, but the British version implies that Aslan's work has actually destroyed the embodiment of fear, while the American version implies that it has only been suppressed.