Introduction
What makes some magic terrifying and some enchanting? In Susan Cooper's acclaimed novel, The Dark is Rising (1973), readers enter a world where the clash between good and evil unfolds through ancient magic. Spanning five novels known as The Dark is Rising Sequence, Cooper's works have enthralled generations of readers with their blend of fantasy, mythology, and magic. At the heart of the series is its second installment, The Dark is Rising, which introduces Will Stanton, an ordinary boy who discovers he is destined to wield unimaginable power as the last of the Old Ones, immortal beings who use magic to battle the rising dark forces of the villainous Lord of the Dark. Through Will's perilous quest, Cooper skillfully depicts magic not as a neutral force, but one shaped by the motivations of those who use it. For Will, embracing his own magical abilities is the only way to survive a fight that will determine the fate of the world. This essay will examine how Cooper's nuanced and provocative portrayal of magic in The Dark is Rising forces readers to confront difficult questions about the nature of power and its ability to corrupt or liberate. Analyzing the novel's major symbols, themes, and character arcs will provide insight into magic as a transformative force that reflects both the light and darkness within human nature.
The Dark is Rising Sequence: Unveiling Magic in Literature
Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence began in 1965 and concluded in 1977, spanning five novels that interweave English mythology, Arthurian legends, and Celtic lore. The series follows the ages-old struggle between the Light and the Dark as they battle for control over the human world. In The Dark is Rising (1973), the heart of the sequence, Will Stanton discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals who wield ancient magic in the fight against evil. Will joins six other Old Ones to find and protect six magical signs that will help vanquish the rising Dark. Mixing fantasy with realism, Cooper explores magic not as a separate realm, but as an unseen force interwoven into the fabric of everyday life. Her nuanced portrayal of magic resonated with readers and sparked renewed interest in mythology and folklore. The novel received numerous accolades, winning the Newbery Medal and launching Cooper's reputation as one of the foremost fantasy writers of her generation. Now considered a classic work, The Dark is Rising and its complex depiction of magical powers remain influential in modern fantasy fiction.
Magic's Duality: The Influence of Morality on Power
In The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper presents magic as a multifaceted force shaped by the moral compass of those who wield its power. For the heroes who fight for the Light, magic enables them to fulfill their destiny and save humanity. This is evident from the outset for Will Stanton, who feels joy and purpose when he discovers his abilities as an Old One, using magic to aid the Lady and drive back the menacing Rider. Yet in contrast to the Light's protective magic is the Dark's destructive sorcery. The sinister Lord of the Dark and his minions like the Rider abuse magic as a means of conquering and sowing chaos across the land. Through this dichotomy, Cooper suggests all magic has the potential for both good and evil; what matters are the motivations and choices of the user. When Will falters in his quest and accidentally resurrects the dangerous Walker using his unchecked powers, he learns magic's corrupting influence can threaten even those with good intent. By presenting magic as colored by its user, Cooper creates nuanced moral questions about power and temptation.
Symbols, Themes, and Character Arcs: Magic as a Mirror of Human Nature
Expanding upon the nature of magical power, Cooper also utilizes symbolism and themes to underscore how magic manifests the interior struggle between light and darkness within individuals. The Six Signs that Will seeks act as symbols of magic's dual potential for creation and destruction. While the Signs aid the Light, their ancient origins and immense power evoke an unsettling darkness, suggesting the fluid line between light and dark magic. Other symbols like the white stag and the unicorn illustrate the balance of purity and danger. Cooper pairs these ambiguous symbols with the theme of free will, as characters like Will must choose whether to embrace the light or darkness in their own magic and character. The clash between the two sides finally culminates in the novel's climactic confrontation between Will and the Lord of the Dark. By paralleling Will’s internal conflict with the larger external battle, Cooper implies that just as Will must merge the dark and light within himself, magic too contains a similar precarious balance.
Nuances of Magic: The Impact of Choice on Moral Ambiguity
While some may argue that when magic is wielded with moral conviction it cannot be corrupted, Cooper adds nuance by showing how even well-meaning use of power often has unintended consequences. Will, though committed to the Light, still falters and unleashes harmful magic, proving that even righteous intentions cannot fully prevent abuse of power. Some also claim those born with magical gifts are destined to use them for good or evil. However, Cooper depicts morality as a choice, showing how Will cultivates compassion and self-control to direct his magic toward positive ends, while the Rider ultimately embraces hatred. Magic may magnify inner darkness or light, but it does not predetermine it. Cooper's complex writing overrides simplistic notions about magic, highlighting its inherent tensions.
Conclusion
In The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper crafts a sophisticated portrayal of magic that eschews fantasy tropes about magical powers being inherently good or evil. Instead, she uses Will's journey along with symbolic images and themes to illustrate the complex dual nature of magic as both creative and destructive, benevolent and malevolent. Magic's fluidity mirrors the contradictions within human nature, shaped profoundly by the motivations of the user. Yet ultimately, the many facets of magic and choice serve Cooper's overarching message about embracing duality and finding balance. Power comes not from banishing darkness or light, but reconciling the two halves of a greater whole. It is this nuanced depiction that helped cement The Dark is Rising as a pioneering work of fantasy.
