Book Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
It may be hard to imagine that a book so short and a seemingly simple read would have so much in it. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe does just that. A group of four siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy live in England during the height of World War II. For their safety they are sent to live with distant relative of some sort called the Professor.
Once there, Lucy, the youngest, discovers a wardrobe that transports her to another world. She meets a faun. He warns her, after telling her that he is supposed to betray her, that the White Witch will be after her.
This archived article was written by: Brady Maynes
It may be hard to imagine that a book so short and a seemingly simple read would have so much in it. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe does just that. A group of four siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy live in England during the height of World War II. For their safety they are sent to live with distant relative of some sort called the Professor.
Once there, Lucy, the youngest, discovers a wardrobe that transports her to another world. She meets a faun. He warns her, after telling her that he is supposed to betray her, that the White Witch will be after her.
She returns to go and bring her siblings into the world, Narnia, she has accidentally discovered. They don’t believe her; thinking it is some fantastic story of a young girl, even though she is not one to fib or tell fantastic stories.
Edmund follows her into the wardrobe and he too finds himself in a strange new world covered in ice and snow. He meets the White Witch and she tempts him with Turkish delight. He becomes charmed by her and is sent to bring back his brother and sisters.
Pure and simple Edmund is a brat. The White Witch tells Edmund that he will be her right-hand man and will be able to order his siblings around. He loves this idea because he feels Peter orders him around. When Edmund and Lucy return back through the wardrobe, Edmund denies going to Narnia. This makes Edmund seem even more of a jerk.
Eventually all four of them find their way to Narnia through the wardrobe. They, almost by accident, stumble on a talking beaver. Mr. Beaver and his wife Mrs. Beaver tell the four children that they are the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve that will bring peace back to the land. They tell them that Aslan has been seen, apparently another good sign.
Edmund, remembering the Turkish delight and promise the White Witch made him sets off toward her palace. Peter, Susan and Lucy realize this too late. They must now go in search of Aslan if they want to help Edmund. The snow and ice, which signifies the White Witch’s rule in Narnia, is beginning to melt.
The group of five: Peter, Susan, Lucy and the two Beavers cross paths with Father Christmas. He gives Peter a shield and a sword, Susan a bow and a horn, and Lucy a small dagger and a container of healing potion. Each are given a weapon of attack and something of protection.
They eventually reach Aslan and discover that he is a great lion. While he is powerful, Aslan tells the siblings that he, and the creatures of Narnia, cannot defeat the White Witch without their help. Bravery, sacrifice and selflessness will be needed. Not just in saving Narnia, but in helping Edmund as well.
Their journey has just begun it seems when the White Witch arrives and demands that Edmund must die for being a traitor. Aslan does not argue against her, for she speaks of magic and law that has been around since the birth of Narnia. Aslan offers to take Edmund’s place. This sets in motion several important events that will change Narnia forever.
Will Edmund, who appears to have seen the wrong of his ways, stay true? Will the four siblings live up to the ancient prophecy? Aslan has promised to help, but he also volunteered to die for Edmund. It seems that peace in Narnia is something from history, not of the future. Would you stay and fight for a cause and country that is not your own? It may not be a decision we will ever face, but one that Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy will have to make.
