The Significance of Ged’s Encounter with the Dragon Yevaud Alexandra Bayer College

In A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin, there are several key moments that force the protagonist, Ged, to better himself as a wizard in order to continue on with his life. One of the most critical events to his development is his encounter with the dangerous dragon Yevaud, and Ged’s success in defeating him. The act of defeating the dragon is important for Ged because it employs both mind and body throughout the fight, reaffirms his past training, and gives him experience for his future battles. Without surpassing this milestone, Ged likely would not have had the resources he needed in order to continue on his journey with a fair chance at survival against other dark creatures and forces. Triumphing over Yevaud was one of the most critical moments in Ged’s life.

In order to get to this battle with Yevaud, Ged first had to choose to go to the dragons in an attempt to defeat them and keep the people of Low Torning safe. This was the first battle he waged, entirely in his mind: “Such spell-walls must be ever renewed, and soon he saw that if he spent all his strength on these defenses, he would be of no use to the islanders. What could he do, between two enemies, if a dragon came from Pendor?” (Le Guin 52). Ged put his duty...