" (133) .
While berating the aristocracy is one way that Lewis has chosen to reinforce his dislike of the idea of royalty, he also glorifies those who are born into simplicity for the same purpose. Shasta and the Hermit are portrayed as the symbols of philanthropy. Shasta, a mere fisherman's slave ends up saving Archenland from the Prince Rabadash without even knowing that he is the heir to the throne. Weary from the journey as he was, when the Hermit told him there was still hope to save Archenland from Rabadash by informing King Lune, he answered simply with; "Where is the king?" (156) Although just a small boy, he understood that, while the request seemed unfair, it needed to be done. His swiftness proved successful, and Archenland was saved. His rescue of Aravis and her horse Hwin, from the lion was a clumsy attempt at best; "He shouted out, idiotically, at the lion as one would with a dog." (154) To his surprise, the lion turned around and left. Although awkward, he mustered up enough courage to face the lion, while Bree, the war horse, and the animal equivalent to aristocracy, fled. "I who called myself a war horse and boasted of a hundred fights, to be beaten by a little human boy- a child, a mere foal, who never held a sword nor had any good nurture or example in his life!" (161) Here, we see that a simple boy has proven that he has more inner strength than a noble war horse. At this instance, a new light is shed on Shasta, While the light of fascination with the aristocracy is dimmed.
While the Hermit is more of an enigma, his philanthropy is evident from the moment he is introduced into the story. He appears just as Hwin and Aravis are being chased by the lion, providing them with care and shelter. His goodness seems to seep from him onto his surroundings, which Lewis describes as being green, and fresh, while the aristocrat Lasaraleen's tent is described as being "rich and scented, but rather stuffy.
