The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

HarperCollins; 2000 (originally published in 1950),

ISBN: 0006716873.

Reader’s Annotation

Whet e four Pevensies stumble through a wardrobe and into the land of Narnia, they find that they are the catalyst of a rebellion to cast out a witch who has cruelly ruled Narnia for a hundred years.

Plot Summary

Bombs are falling in London during World War II, and when Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy get sent to the country for their safety, they find themselves staying in a huge old house belonging to a reclusive professor.  One day during a game of hide and seek, Lucy, the youngest, hides in a wardrobe, and discovers that she’s in a snowy wood, in another world.  She meets the most unlikely person—a faun walking through the snow.  When she agrees to have tea with Mr. Tumnus, he finally confesses that he has been ordered by the White Witch to kidnap any human child he finds, and bring them to her.  But instead, he helps Lucy get back home.  Later, Edmund follows Lucy in and all by himself encounters the Witch herself, and falls into her power.  When all the children come back together, Edmund betrays them to the Witch, forcing them to flee.  They’ve been told about Aslan, the great Lion of Narnia, and that he’s gathered an army, and they race to meet him.  Edmund is now a prisoner of the White Witch.  When they meet Aslan, he sends forces to rescue Edmund, and the country braces itself for war.  Before the war breaks out, the Witch approaches Aslan, claiming that according to the “Deep Magic”, any traitor belongs to her, for her to kill—she means Edmund.  After speaking privately to the Witch, Aslan announces that she has renounced her claim.  That night, Lucy and Susan awaken as Aslan quietly leaves the camp.  They follow him, and in the most heartrending sequence, witness him dying in Edmund’s place at the hands of the Witch.  When they are left alone, they grieve, until with a cracking sound like thunder, Aslan appears to them, alive!  Aslan eventually joins the dramatic battle to overthrow the witch and restore Narnia.

Critical Evaluation

Originally written for children, The Chronicles of Narnia, of which The Lion the Witch and Wardrobe is the first, was immediately enjoyed by young and old alike.  The allegorical nature of the story is unmistakable, and yet the story stands on its own merits enough to be enjoyed by readers of any faith.  Lewis combines elements of fairy tales (the Witch and dwarves) and mythology (fauns, centaurs, naiads and dryads), with a healthy dose of adventure.  Some of these aspects get lost in the movie adaptation, which makes reading the book even more beneficial.

Information about the Author

Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, who was known as “Jack” to friends was a noted Irish-born British novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian and Christian apologist. He is well known for his fictional work, especially The Screwtape Letters, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Space Trilogy. One interesting note is that he was good friends with J.R.R. Tolkien—they were both noted professors at Oxford together.  The two of them, along with some other friends, formed a small literary group called the “Inklings”.  Lewis had abandoned his faith, but owing to the influence of Tolkien and other friends, at the age of 32 Lewis returned to Christianity.  His conversion had a significant effect on his work, and his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him wide acclaim.  Lewis’ death passed nearly unreported since he died on November 22, 1963—the same day JFK was assassinated.

Genre

Fantasy

Adventure

Curriculum Tie-ins

Mythology

Booktalk Ideas

1. Why do you think that witch did not know about the "Deeper Magic"?
2. Why to you think Lewis included the scene with Father Christmas?

Reading level/Interest age

Ages 12+ (Barnes & Noble)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None

Why I included this work

This is a personal favorite, and also the recent movie adaptations makes it a logical addition.

Best Young Adult Books on GoodReads.com.

Great Quote from the Book:

"He's not a tame lion."