Summary
In many sci-fi, horror, or fantasy stories, there is one object that holds a special place of importance. Fans have seen this in series likeLord of the Rings, which featured the fabled “One Ring to Rule Them All,” or the Death Star orLightsabers found inStar Wars. In Stephen King’sThe Dark Tower, aside from the Dark Tower itself or a gunslinger’s weapons, there is one object that captures the sense of lore and mythos that has a lasting impact on the world ofThe Dark Tower.That is the famed Horn of Eld.
A legendary tool and relic from the days of the first gunslingers and beyond, the Horn held a great place in the minds and hearts of the gunslingers. It became one of the lost artifacts Roland left behind when he went on his quest to find the Dark Tower after he became the last of his people. Yet the Horn of Eld has a special connection tothe Dark Towermythology, and it could have an incredible impact on the direction that the upcoming adaptation of the book series will have whenMike Flanagan brings it to life.
The Horn of Eld, Explained
The Horn of Eld was the personal horn used bynone other than Arthur Eld, the first ruler of Gilead and the man whose legend would inspire the formation of the Gunslingers themselves. It was said that whoever possessed the horn would hold the office of the ruler of Gilead. It thus became an important symbol for those who would lead Gilead in the years to come, including Roland’s father, Steven Deschain, himself a descendent of Arthur Eld.
When John Farson led his armyagainst Gilead and brought the city down, the remaining gunslingers, including Roland and his ka-tet, fled, bringing the Horn with them. The Horn became a prized possession of Cuthbert, one of Roland’s best friends. During their final stand at the Battle of Jericho Hill, Cuthbert sounded the horn until one of Farson’s soldiers brought Cuthbert down. In his final moments, he asked Roland to take the horn with him, but when Roland resumed his quest for the Dark Tower, he brought his father’s guns instead, another relic of Arthur Eld.
It isn’t until the final book of the series that the Horn’s importance is realized. Spoilers for anyone who has not yet read the book are ahead, so be warned. The final chapter of the book shows Roland climbing the tower, having gained entry after his defeatof the Crimson King. However, when he enters the top room of the Dark Tower, his memories are restored. He knows he has been on this cycle before, always forced to return to the beginning of his journey by the entity known as GAN. However, in this new cycle, Roland now has the Horn of Eld, having recovered it on this journey. It’s a symbol that perhaps he has learned redemption finally and can end the cycle once and for all.
Featuring The Horn of Eld in Live-Action
The Horn of Eld is a symbolic and powerful relic, and the way it is utilized inthe upcoming Mike Flanaganadaptation of Stephen King’sThe Dark Towerwill prove vital to understanding the direction of the series and subsequent films that are planned. Recent comments from the director suggest that certain characters and locations in Stephen King’s multiverse may be off limits due to studio rights. The need to replace or change certain characters may speak to the direction the franchise is set to go, and how the Horn of Eld will be used.
If new or different characters arereplacing well-known Stephen King charactersin the series adaptation, it would make sense if the Horn of Eld were to be with Roland in this series. If the story is both an adaptation of the original books and a spiritual sequel of sorts, continuing the story that the final book suggested Roland was now living, the Horn of Eld could become the symbol for the Dark Tower’s true purpose in Roland’s life.
Living a life filled with violence, it was sad yet natural that Roland would choose his father’s guns to bring with him on his journey instead of the Horn of Eld. Yet, the repetition of each cycle brings him back to the beginning, showcasing that he has failed to truly learn the Dark Tower’s ultimate lesson, which is that death and violence are not the answers to life’s difficulties, but instead love and friendship are.
The Horn of Eld is a symbol of a rallying cry, somethingCuthbert used in the Battle of JerichoHill to rally his fellow gunslingers. In that sense, the Horn of Eld could become more than just a powerful symbol. It could be an emotional tether to Roland’s evolution as a character overall, forcing him to confront the life of violence he has lived and the need to embrace family and friends over his mission in the end. The placement of the Horn of Eld in the upcomingDark Toweradaptation by Mike Flanagan will determine the story as a whole.
