Triumph over Limitation
Perhaps the main theme of The Door in the Wall is triumph in the face of adversity. Robin's challenge in the book is his physical ailment: his malformed legs that cannot support him and require him to use crutches in order to get around. For this reason, no one expects Robin to be able to fulfill his duties as a knight-in-training. Early on in the story, Robin is unsure of whether he will ever be able to leave his bed again, let alone serve as a page for one of the great noblemen of England.
However, on more than one occasion, Robin takes the courageous actions that make him into a true hero. For example, while he, John, and Brother Luke are staying overnight at the White Hart Inn, Robin saves the party from being robbed by a gang of thieves. Similarly, the climax of the story involves Robin volunteering himself to take a risky trip past the enemy forces and through an icy river in order to rally help to save Sir Peter's castle. This is no easy feat on crutches, but Robin calls upon his own will and strength of character to carry him where his physical limitations cannot. Thus, we witness a transformation of the protagonist from an underdog at the beginning of the story to a heroic knight by the last page.
The Role of the Knight
What it means to be a true nobleperson or knight is a reoccurring theme in The Door in the Wall. Robin has been expected to become a knight just like his father, Sir John de Bureford, from an early age. Even though Robin is just 10 years old—still very much a child—he already has been deeply influenced by the social perceptions of what a knight should be like. Throughout the story, we see him try to live up to this image, suppressing tears and emotions that he believes would cast him as un-knightly. Ultimately, the role he thinks he must play is revised because of his disability, which prevents him from taking on more typical, active knight duties. Instead, Robin learns that it is what is inside—his spirit, his mind, and his creativity—that defines him, rather than a false sense of strength or stereotypical masculinity.
The Difficulty of Life In Medieval Times
One of the most prominent aspects of The Door in the Wall is its setting: the historical times of the Middle Ages. De Angeli gives a realistic portrayal of how the plague spread throughout the city of London and decimated the population, showing the reader how medieval England was not an easy place in which to live. The English people there suffered unpredictable weather, which could cause spoiled crops and scarce food, as well as frequent battles, such as those between the English and Welsh or the English and Scots.
At the castle of Sir Peter, there is also a sense of always being on the lookout for a potential attack from outsiders. In this sense, people are expectant of the next disaster. This is also demonstrated in the scene where the host of the lodge says that there is always conflict happening and that peace is merely a dream.
The positive side to all these difficulties is that they form a population that takes life seriously and can often be more grateful for the health and fortune that they do receive, such as the way in which Brother Luke feels blessed just to be able to sleep outside for the night.
Duty and Sacrifice
In this historical era, especially in the world of noblepeople, duty is a guiding principle of life. Robin's parents, Sir John de Bureford and Lady Maude, have sacrificed the comforts of home and being with their own son in order to serve their roles as assistants to the King and Queen. Robin is being groomed to take after his parents by training to be a page in Sir Peter's castle. Brother Luke and the other monks at St. Mark's are also very focused on the needs of others, constantly looking out for anyone whom they can help. This can even mean volunteering oneself to take on arduous journeys, such as the way John-go-in-the-Wynd and Brother Luke accompany Robin to far-away Lindsay.
Rather than the characters being focused on serving their own needs or interests, they are automatically inclined toward a life of service for what is considered a higher cause; in this case, working for the English Royalty constitutes being a servant of the Lord Himself, as Kings and Queens were seen as direct representatives of God.
Religious Faith
The Door in the Wall takes place at a time when religious tradition was still the unifying force in society. Throughout the book, the sense of faith and spiritual duty is what motivates characters like Brother Luke to be of service to others, providing care and refuge for those affected by the plague. The monks who are taking care of Robin remind him to be thankful for his blessings even when they are faced with hardships. As Robin spends more time at St. Mark's, he begins to understand the power of the daily prayers, starting to enjoy helping with the monastic duties that help him take his mind off his own physical ailment. The regular prayer is also the backbone as Robin, Luke, and John journey to Lindsay and undergo many challenges, such as almost being robbed.
Determination
Determination is an essential theme in a tale about the bravery of a budding knight. Robin is taught the value of determination as he is faced with many tests and challenges: swimming in an icy river, being separated from his parents for months, running away from thieves, and dealing with his disability and the uncertainty of his future as a nobleman. Again and again, Robin must show determination, lest he be slowed down by his ailment and unable to participate in life the way he wishes to. Brother Luke is particularly helpful in teaching Robin the lesson of determination, encouraging the boy to try again and again even after apparent failure, such as when he destroys the wooden cross he has been carving. This cultivation of willpower contributes to Robin's success in his most courageous mission: rescuing the castle of Sir Peter during an enemy attack.
The Importance of Family
When the reader first meets Robin, he is sick and alone in his London home while his parents are on their own missions as noblepeople. With only the family servants to look after him, Robin is left feeling somewhat isolated. We see throughout the story how much Robin misses his family and how their love and affection are important for his security in the world. Fortunately, Robin is cared for by the kindly Brother Luke, who acts as a father figure for the boy. And Robin's parents miss him just the same, as demonstrated in the way Lady Maude excitedly embraces her son on Christmas Eve. In this way, the narrative illustrates how even those who carry out great service to others (such as Robin's parents) still have a yearning and necessity for family life to counterbalance their selfless duties.
