Creativity In The Secret Of Kells By Tomm Moore

Though creativity comes in many forms, those who never stray from the rules may never use it to its full potential. In The Secret of Kells, by Tomm Moore, we are shown that without facing risks, creativity will never grow. This is demonstrated in the Refusal of the call, the Road of Trials, and the Apotheosis of the story. The Refusal of the call transpired after Brother Aidan asked for Brendans help with the finishing of the Book of Iona. He asks for Brendan to leave Abbott and to enter the forest to retrieve a type of Berry that is used in green ink. “I can’t go. I’m not allowed. It’s too dangerous.”(page 4) Brendan is a bit afraid to enter the first because it is unknown and against the rules set in place by his uncle, Cellach. But he receives

“I will help you find the things you want, on one condition. You and your pet must promise to never come into my forest again.”(page 4) Part of his trial includes befriending this fairy and finding peace inside the forest, which included another trial which involves climbing a very large tree which is a risk for him since he’s inexperienced. “Saved your life, second time today. I thought you knew how to climb trees?”(page 4) And his response was that he never climbed any big ones. At the top of the tree, he finds peace, and the berries, and Aisling shares her name with him there. Then as she shows him how to leave he spots a cave and decides to venture within, where Aisling tells him he shouldn't because it is one of Crom Cuachs caves, also known as the dark on. “Aisling! Are you hurt? What was that?”(page 4) He disregards her and doesn’t listen until she gets hurt, and they then make their way out. Concluding this part of the Road of Trials and foreshadowing a return to the cave later

However, he does it again and is locked up for it and his connection to Brother Aidan is disrupted and cut by his uncle who believes it is the best thing for Brendans safety. However Aisling breaks him out and he tells her that he needs a crystal that is one Crom Cuachs eyes. “I think there’s one in the Dark one’s cave. I have to go there.”(page 8) And so they travel there, risking himself and Aisling. “Aisling! This place is hurting you. You must go back. I’ll find some other way.”(page 8) But she insists on going and she gains him access at her own demise and he fights the dark one, realizing his imagination is power too, and defeats it, taking its eye. With this new knowledge he is later able to finish the book and bring peace to his uncle, who thought he was dead and concluding the