How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[…], everyone felt that the holidays were really over and everyone felt their term-time feelings beginning again, and they were all rather gloomy and no one could think of anything to say. Lucy was going to boarding school for the first time. (1.2)
Prince Caspian doesn't waste any time hitting us over the head with the whole coming of age thing. Here, the Pevensie children are going to the place where grownups are made: boarding school. The word gloomy seems pretty key.
Quote #2
"And there were Dwarfs. And there were lovely little Fauns in all the woods. They had feet like goats. And—"
"That's all nonsense, for babies," said the King sternly. "Only fit for babies, do you hear? You're getting too old for that sort of stuff. At your age you ought to be thinking of battles and adventures, not fairy tales." (4.11-12)
Miraz doesn't want Caspian to be a Toys"R"Us—er, Narnian kid—anymore. Either way, the fact that he's also the villain makes us think we're supposed to disagree.
Quote #3
"Is he really as bad as that?" said Caspian. "Would he really murder me?"
"He murdered your Father," said Doctor Cornelius. (5.24-26)
Sometimes growing up means learning unpleasant truths about people and the world. Learning that someone wants you dead certainly qualifies as unpleasant, and this scene starts Caspian's journey towards growing up.
Quote #4
The children also put on mail shirts and helmets; a sword and shield were found for Edmund and a bow for Lucy—Peter and Susan were of course already carrying their gifts. (8.24)
The Pevensies put on the clothes of their grownup selves (remember, they were full-on adults at the end of The Lion). This begins their transformation toward the more adult, or Narnian, aspect of their personalities.
Quote #5
[Lucy] had once known them better than the stars of our own world, because as a Queen in Narnia she had gone to bed much later than as a child in England. (9.4)
In not wanting to paint too gloomy a picture about adulthood, Prince Caspian includes this bit of tall folk benefits.
Quote #6
Raw meat is not a nice thing to fill one's pockets with, but they folded it up in fresh leaves and made the best of it. They were all experienced enough to know that they would feel quite differently about these squashy and unpleasant parcels when they had walked long enough to be really hungry. (9.35)
But adulthood isn't all about awesomely late bedtimes. Here the Pevensie boys have to consider and care for their survival—an adult task that can be, let's say, grisly at times. Certainly not something you'd expect to find in a childish romp through a magical land.
Quote #7
"Don't talk like a grown-up," said Lucy, stamping her foot. "I didn't think I saw him. I saw him." (9.63)
Argh, Prince Caspian can't make up its mind. First, the children had to act like adults. Now, Susan thinking like an adult is a bad thing. What do you think: is this novel wishy-washy or is something else going on here?
Quote #8
"And so is your Majesty," said Peter. "I haven't come to take your place, you know, but to put you into it." (12.77)
Peter has assumed his adult position as the High King of Narnia. Now instead of going to school, he's going to act as a kingly teacher for the young Caspian.
Quote #9
"I—I don't think I do, Sir," said Caspian. "I'm only a kid."
"Good," said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not. Therefore, under us and under the High King, you shall be King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands." (15.5)
Caspian's youthful inexperience means he's the perfect king for Narnia. Adults need not apply for the position; Narnia is not an equal opportunity employer.
Quote #10
"Oh, you two are," answered Peter. "At least, from what he said, I'm pretty sure he means you to get back some day. But not Su and me. He says we're getting too old." (15.58)
Peter and Susan are hereby banished from Narnia. Their crime? Having the gall to grow up. For a land that requires you to go to war, butcher bears, and kill werewolves, they sure have a strict age requirement on the books.