Introduction
Suspense, intrigue and peril lie at the heart of Susan Cooper’s acclaimed children’s fantasy series The Dark is Rising (1965-1977). Within its five novels Cooper crafts a world steeped in the lore of British legend and Celtic myth. But central to this cycle of books is its second installment - The Dark is Rising (1973) - where Cooper truly brings to life the struggle between the light and the dark through the story of young Will Stanton, seventh son of a seventh son. As Will comes of age, he is initiated into a secret order of men known as the Old Ones and discovers his destiny is to find and wield six magical Signs in order to vanquish the evil rising forces of the Dark. It is Will’s quest for this ancient magic that lies at the core of what makes The Dark is Rising a seminal work in modern fantasy. Over the course of five books, Cooper lays the groundwork for an epic battle between good and evil forces. But it is through Will’s discovery of his own magical powers in The Dark is Rising, that she brings this brewing conflict into sharp focus. As Will searches for the six Signs - imbued with the magical power of the Light - the stakes of his quest, and the significance of magic as a force that can tilt the balance, become thrillingly clear. This essay will examine the integral role of magic in The Dark is Rising as a driving force in the overarching battle between the Light and the Dark. It will analyze how Cooper uses ancient magic as a source of power, identity and purpose for Will on his mythic quest. Examining magic in Cooper’s seminal work provides insight into the larger lore of her fantasy world, and the broader role of magic in fantasy as a genre.
Background: A Fusion of British Legends and Celtic Myth
Magic in The Dark is Rising draws heavily from British folklore, Celtic myth and Arthurian legend. Will is initiated into a circle of powerful immortal mages known as the Old Ones, who have existed for centuries to champion the forces of the Light. The magic Will must master comes from an ancient supernatural order, tied to the seasonal cycles and mythical symbols of Britain’s pagan past. Cooper roots her tale in real places around Britain, lending an aura of historical mystique. The magical Signs Will must find are based on real Arthurian artifacts, objects imbued in medieval myth with magical importance. The Signs feature ancient Celtic symbols, like the Rood mascle, Herne's iron-branched antlers, and the Crystal Sword. Cooper weaves in bits of medieval texts and lore, such as the epic poem Gawain and the Green Knight. The magical lore of The Dark is Rising intertwines real British legends, myths and texts to create a sense of otherworldliness tinged with familiarity. This grants the magic in the story a feeling of ancientness and cultural resonance. By the 1970s, magic in children’s fantasy had seen a major revival, spearheaded by writers like Cooper who infused it with mythic undertones. Authors like Alan Garner and Ursula K. Le Guin were also exploring magic with roots in cultural history. So while the mystical quest Cooper crafted was new, it was enriched by the aura of centuries-old magic.
A Coming-of-Age Ritual: Will Stanton's Journey
In The Dark is Rising, the quest for magic serves as a coming-of-age ritual for Will, thrusting him into a position of power and purpose. On his eleventh birthday Will discovers he is one of the Old Ones, immortal beings tasked with finding six magical Signs to aid the Light in its age-old battle against the Dark. Will’s initiation begins with his receipt of the first Sign, the Sign of Iron, and a book of ancient lore preparing him for the quest ahead. With his newly discovered identity as an Old One, Will realizes, “It was as if he had been asked to take on powers and responsibilities far greater than his own” (Cooper 50). The gravity of his quest becomes clear during his search for the second Sign, when Will remarks “So the quest for the gifts of Power went on, with himself as the seeker” (Cooper 81). Will’s burgeoning command of magic grants him strength and agency. During his search for the third Sign, Will is described as feeling “the Power surging through him” (Cooper 99), indicating how magic amplifies his capabilities. As Will collects each Sign, he grows into his role as a warrior for the Light, with magic as his weapon.
The Morality of Magic: Neutrality and the Wielder's Character
Through Will’s quest, Cooper also portrays magic as carrying an intrinsic morality; magic in itself is neither good nor evil, but depends on the user. When Will first handles the Sign of Iron, he feels “the weight of age and strange metals and deep, cold water” (Cooper 68), yet knows instinctively how to employ its power for good. But he later learns the Sign of Bronze can grant evil power as well, musing “Bronze to summon, bronze to dismiss; all metals may be bent to good or ill” (Cooper 121). The mirrors behind whose glass the Sign of Water lie symbolize this duplicity in magic’s potential, with surfaces that can twist appearances to beauty or darkness based on the viewer (Cooper 139). Magic’s neutrality means Will must develop wisdom and discipline to properly direct its power as an Old One. Cooper suggests magic’s moral nature is shaped by the character of its wielder, not any inherent good or evil.
Counterargument: The Scholarly Significance of Magic
Some may argue magic in The Dark is Rising perpetuates notions of magic as too esoteric or frivolous to warrant scholarly examination. However, Cooper’s nuanced development of the magical lore and quest in the story provides meaningful commentary on coming-of-age and morality. The episodic structure of Will’s search for the six Signs offers an archetypal hero’s journey, as Will gains skills, tests his moral resolve, and forges a purposeful identity. Examining magic in Cooper’s work sheds light on broader themes of good versus evil, free will, and moral formation. Rather than dismiss magic as intellectually unworthy, understanding its literary role in The Dark is Rising offers insight into British mythology and the fantasy genre’s roots in traditional folklore.
Conclusion
In The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper expertly crafts a tale of magic that draws from the mystical lore of British legend. Through young Will Stanton’s quest to wield ancient magical Signs in the battle against the Dark, Cooper explores magic as a source of power, identity and moral purpose. Will’s coming-of-age story casts magic as a transformative force, one that depends on the moral conviction of its wielder. By intertwining real places and artifacts with her fantasy world, Cooper lends heart-pounding adventure a sheen of cultural mystique. Examining the integral role of magic in The Dark is Rising provides illumination into Cooper’s medieval inspirations, and the broader importance of magic in fantasy storytelling. In deft hands like Cooper’s, magic reaches far beyond frivolous fancies, becoming a serious narrative force underpinning epic tales of good versus evil.
