The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis

When the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan,  Edmund and Lucy are sent out of London during World War II, they have no ideas of the magical journey that are beginning. In the darkness, of the old country house where they have been sent to, the children stumble through a old wardrobe to the lands of Narnia. There they help Aslan the lion defeat the White Queen who holds Narnia.

 

Themes

 

• Good versus Evil

In this novel, good and evil are straightforward and undisguised. Good is ultimately more powerful than evil, although evil does seem to have a necessary place in the Lewis's world. Even people who make serious mistakes can be redeemed and re-join the side of good. Creatures who are truly evil will be vanquished in the end. Evil is most disturbing because it preys on our own weaknesses and negative traits.

 

"If it comes to that, which is the right side? How do we know that the fauns are in the right and the Queen (yes, I know we've been told she's a witch) is in the wrong? We don't really know anything about either."

In this quote, Edmund raises the fact that he and his siblings are really just stumbling into the middle of a complicated situation that they may not understand. Yet we as readers instinctively know that he is wrong. The Queen is obviously evil, and Mr Tumnus is obviously good.

 

• Compassion and forgiveness

The ability to forgive those who have caused you harm or betrayed you is the most important virtue in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Good is able to triumph over evil through one great act of mercy and compassion. Forgiveness, when it comes, is complete. What's done is done, and it would be pointless to bring up past wrongs.

 

"Then be off home as quick as you can," said the Faun, "and – c-can you ever forgive me for what I meant to do?"
"Why, of course I can," said Lucy, shaking him heartily by the hand. "And I do hope you won't get into dreadful trouble on my account."

Here we see that Lucy is ready and willing to forgive anyone who is genuinely sorry while Mr Tumnus feels the need to apologise for a transgression he hasn't even committed yet.

• Transformation

There are several types of transformation in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is possible for individuals to transform from unpleasant and selfish people to wise and just ones, but only with the help of a powerful outside force. There are several types of transformation in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is possible for individuals to transform from unpleasant and selfish people to wise and just ones, but only with the help of a powerful outside force.

 

"I've come at last," said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening."

When Father Christmas appears in Narnia, it is a sign that time has begun to pass in a normal way again. The endless winter is being transformed into normal, human, cyclical time with landmarks like holidays.

 

• Courage

Courage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not a feeling but a way that you behave. Although you might feel despairing, frightened, or sick, you can still behave bravely. Bravery is one of the most valuable virtues. It cannot be learned, but good people will find that they have unknown reserves of strength in difficult moments. Courage may mean the ability to face certain defeat, pain, suffering, or even death with patience and fortitude.

 

"At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in his inside. […] Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous."

Peter's courage is innate and only needs a little bit of prompting from the outside in order to show itself.

• Family

The bonds between family members and the nature of the family itself are central themes of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In this novel, families have definite gender roles and different people will have different responsibilities depending on their circumstances.

 

"Don't go on talking like that."
"Like what?" said Susan; "and anyway, it's time you were in bed."
"Trying to talk like Mother," said Edmund. "And who are you to say when I'm to go to bed? Go to bed yourself."

When the four pevensie children are sent to the countryside to get away from the air raids in London, older sister Susan tries to reposition herself as a surrogate mother.

• Exploration

The desire to explore and experience new things is a charming characteristic in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but one that can lead to more trouble than expected. Exploration might mean investigating the outdoors, the indoors, a magical world that exists in another dimension, or even one's own psychological world.

 

"It's an owl," said Peter. "This is going to be a wonderful place for birds. I shall go to bed now. I say, let's go and explore to-morrow. You might find anything in a place like this. Did you see those mountains as we came along? And the woods? There might be eagles. There might be stags. There'll be hawks."
"Badgers!" said Lucy.
"Snakes!" said Edmund.
"Foxes!" said Susan.

As soon as the children arrive at the Professor's house in the country, they are excited about the possibility of exploring the wilderness around them. What they don't realize is that they will be exploring a wilderness – but in a completely different world.

In general, the book is written in a simple, plain language that many child readers can understand. Its brilliant construction enables readers of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the magical world that the book creates. At times the description of pleasant things take on a life of its own, making the reader long to have tea with Mr Tumnus or walk through the Narnian countryside, for example. When reading, C.S.Lewis's descriptions have the ability to take the reader into the world of Narnia, which makes the book so enjoyable.

 

Film trailer