Theme 1
The first theme is; what you want is not always what is best for you. Will has wanted to be a knight his whole life. This is obvious when the narrator says “Will’s heart pounded in his ribs. He thought now, all his life, he had yearned to be a knight” (Flanagan 239). At the end of the book, Will finally earns his chance to be knight. When asked to be a knight will says “I am a Ranger, my lord” (Flanagan 241). Will declines the chance to be a knight because he realizes that even though that is all he has ever wanted, it is not what is best for him. Through his adventures with Halt, Will has learned the ways of a Ranger and come to like them. He now enjoys the adventurous life and all the freedom that comes with it. Will has become loyal to the Rangers and realized that he will be a very good Ranger. He will be a way better Ranger than he ever could be knight, even though that is what he has always wanted to be.
Theme 2
The second theme is: keeping your promises will turn out good. After Will saves Horace’s life during a boar hunt, Horace tells Will “‘I’ll never forget that debt. If ever you need a friend, if ever you need help you can call on me’” (Flanagan 145). Soon after this, Horace finds out that three bullies that were bullying him are going to beat up Will. He immediately runs to Halt’s cabin to protect Will and keep his promise Halt sees Horace protecting Will and puts a stop to the bullies. Next Halt beats up the bullies to teach them a lesson. He then talks to Sir Rodney, the head of battle school, about them. Sir Rodney expels the bullies from battle school. This makes Horace’s life a lot easier and more enjoyable. So in the end, because Horace kept his promise everything turned out good for Horace, Will and the whole battle school.
Different Will. Illustration. Web. n.d. “The Ranger’s Apprentice.” Fanpop.com. Web. 12 Oct.
2014.
2014.