Hello again! I had hoped to finish the book today, but I've decided I need to do a third part. Today covers chapters 6-12. I also had forgotten that Queen Jadis, from the "Magician's Nephew" is the same person as the White Witch in this book! You can read an interesting article from the "Into the Wardrobe" site here: http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/lionwitchallegory.html
The article is entitled "The Lion, the Witch and the Allegory: An Analysis of Selected Narnia Chronicles" I didn't read the whole thing, but what I read was pretty interesting.
Title: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Published: Originally published in 1950, it has been re-printed many times over the years. The particular copies I am reviewing are the same ones Dad read to us over the years, they are pretty old and falling apart! :-) (My brother Andrew has a newer copy with all the books in one collected version, however, I am still reading the old ones. :-) ) Anyway, this particular copy is printed from Collier Books sometime in the 1970s.
Background Information: See other posts on C.S. Lewis and Narnia.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe...
The four children are cramped inside the wardrobe, and after some shoving they realize they are in a forest--with snow! Peter apologizes to Lucy for not believing her and after some debate they borrow four of the coats from the wardrobe and Lucy says: "We can pretend we are Arctic explorers." Peter replies: "This is going to be exciting enough without pretending" (p. 52). :-) Edmund accidentally says something that gives himself away and Peter realizes that Edmund had been there before, and had made it sound like Lucy was making the whole thing up. Peter is pretty upset, and calls Edmund a "beast" and leaves it at that. Peter lets Lucy lead the way and they set off to see Mr. Tumnus. However, when they arrive they find the house a disaster and a note from one of the Queen's Wolves saying that Mr. Tumnus has been arrested for: "harbouring spies and fraternising with Humans." (p. 55) (meaning, Lucy)
Susan thinks that they should go back, and Lucy insists that they can't and they have to help Mr. Tumnus. Edmund doesn't think they can do much, and Peter still being angry with Edmund, tells Edmund to be quiet. Eventually they decide they should look for Mr. Tumnus and they notice a robin, (note, robins=spring, and remember it is "always winter and never Christmas" in Narnia) the Robin seems to want the children to follow them, and so they do.
Peter and Edmund have a discussion at one point and Edmund suggests that maybe the Robin is not on the right side, Peter disagrees because robins are "good birds in all the stories I've ever read. I'm sure a robin wouldn't be on the wrong side." Edmund says:
"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." (p. 59) They discuss it a little further, but still end up following the Robin. The Robin leads them to a beaver. After more discussion, the children follow the Beaver. Mr. Beaver tells them that "Aslan is on the move" and takes the children to his home and introduces them to Mrs. Beaver. Several humours discussions occur and the children stay for dinner. After dinner the conversation turns to how they can help Mr. Tumnus and about Aslan, and how Aslan is the one who can help Mr. Tumnus. The children are curious about Aslan and ask several questions, Mr. Beaver tells them about Aslan, and Edmund asks if the White Witch can turn him into stone, Mr. Beaver tells him no, and also tells them of a Narnia rhyme which says:
"Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again." (p. 74-75)
We learn that Aslan is a Lion and that "He is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the Sea" (p. 75) and that he doesn't come very often to Narnia. Susan and Lucy are a little alarmed when they find out Aslan is a lion and they ask if he is "safe." Mr. Beaver replies: " 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you." (p. 76). We then learn that the children are going to meet him the next day at the Stone Table. We learn another rhyme in course of the conversation that says:
"When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done." (p. 75)
We learn that there are four thrones at Cair Paravel, and that they will be filled by two boys and two girls. We also learn more details about the Witch and her history. At one point, the children realize that Edmund is gone. At first they are alarmed and want to go find him, however, after some discussion with the Beavers, they realize Edmund must have already met the Witch, and has been deceived, and is going to her house now, to tell her about the meeting at the Stone Table. Soon, everyone is busy getting ready to leave and get away from the Witch before she find them.
Chapter 9--goes into detail about Edmund's journey to the White Witch's house. The book says: "You mustn't think that even now Edmund was quite so bad that he actually wanted his brother and sisters to be turned into stone. He did want Turkish Delight and to be a Prince (and later a King) and to pay Peter out for calling him a beast." (p.85) It goes on a little more, but you can read the book yourself to get all the details. :-) Anyway, he eventually gets to her house, and sees lots of stone animals, when he finally sees the Witch, she is very angry with him for not bringing his siblings.
Chapter 10--goes into more detail about the packing preparations of the Beavers and the other children, they eventually start on their journey to the Stone Table. On the way there, they meet Father Christmas and he tells them that "I've come at last." "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." (p. 103) He then gives everyone presents, Mrs. Beaver gets a sewing machine, Mr. Beaver will find his dam/house all finished when he returns, and Peter gets a sword and a shield. Susan gets arrows and a horn (the horn is to use when she needs help, and Lucy gets a bottle (which is to use to help those who are injured/ill) and a dagger. Father Christmas tells the girls that their weapons (the arrows and the dagger) are to be used when they are in danger and he says: "for I do not mean you to fight in the battle." (p. 104)
Chapter 11--Edmund and the Queen continue on in their journey, and Edmund is having a miserable time. At one point they see some squirrels and other animals enjoying some dinner and having a party. The Queen demands to know where they got their items, and she is informed that Father Christmas gave it to them. In a rage, she turns the entire party to stone!
They continue on, and Edmund is upset with the Queen for turning the animals into stone. Soon, the sledge they are riding in, becomes impossible to ride, because of all the melting snow. Everyone has to get out now and walk. (Edmund has his hands tied up) The Queen's Dwarf at one point says: "This is no thaw" "This is spring. What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan's doing." (p. 118) The Queen then tells the Dwarf and Edmund that if they mention Aslan's name again she will kill them!
Chapter 12--we learn that the children arrive at the Stone Table, and they meet Aslan. He talks to them some, and then takes Peter aside to tell him about how he will be the High King since he is the oldest. During this discussion, they hear Susan's horn, and run to see what is happening. Susan is being chased by one of the Queen's wolves and is up a tree, Peter gets his sword and kills the wolf. (this chapter is entitled "Peter's First Battle" by the way) Aslan then instructs the Narnia animals to go after a second wolf. Alsan then tells Peter he has forgotten to clean his sword, Peter cleans it, once it is cleaned, Aslan tells Peter to give him the sword and kneel. Aslan then strikes Peter with the flat blade of the sword and says:
"Rise up, Sir Peter Fenris-Bane. And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword."
Have a great day!
The article is entitled "The Lion, the Witch and the Allegory: An Analysis of Selected Narnia Chronicles" I didn't read the whole thing, but what I read was pretty interesting.
Title: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Published: Originally published in 1950, it has been re-printed many times over the years. The particular copies I am reviewing are the same ones Dad read to us over the years, they are pretty old and falling apart! :-) (My brother Andrew has a newer copy with all the books in one collected version, however, I am still reading the old ones. :-) ) Anyway, this particular copy is printed from Collier Books sometime in the 1970s.
Background Information: See other posts on C.S. Lewis and Narnia.
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe...
The four children are cramped inside the wardrobe, and after some shoving they realize they are in a forest--with snow! Peter apologizes to Lucy for not believing her and after some debate they borrow four of the coats from the wardrobe and Lucy says: "We can pretend we are Arctic explorers." Peter replies: "This is going to be exciting enough without pretending" (p. 52). :-) Edmund accidentally says something that gives himself away and Peter realizes that Edmund had been there before, and had made it sound like Lucy was making the whole thing up. Peter is pretty upset, and calls Edmund a "beast" and leaves it at that. Peter lets Lucy lead the way and they set off to see Mr. Tumnus. However, when they arrive they find the house a disaster and a note from one of the Queen's Wolves saying that Mr. Tumnus has been arrested for: "harbouring spies and fraternising with Humans." (p. 55) (meaning, Lucy)
Susan thinks that they should go back, and Lucy insists that they can't and they have to help Mr. Tumnus. Edmund doesn't think they can do much, and Peter still being angry with Edmund, tells Edmund to be quiet. Eventually they decide they should look for Mr. Tumnus and they notice a robin, (note, robins=spring, and remember it is "always winter and never Christmas" in Narnia) the Robin seems to want the children to follow them, and so they do.
Peter and Edmund have a discussion at one point and Edmund suggests that maybe the Robin is not on the right side, Peter disagrees because robins are "good birds in all the stories I've ever read. I'm sure a robin wouldn't be on the wrong side." Edmund says:
"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." (p. 59) They discuss it a little further, but still end up following the Robin. The Robin leads them to a beaver. After more discussion, the children follow the Beaver. Mr. Beaver tells them that "Aslan is on the move" and takes the children to his home and introduces them to Mrs. Beaver. Several humours discussions occur and the children stay for dinner. After dinner the conversation turns to how they can help Mr. Tumnus and about Aslan, and how Aslan is the one who can help Mr. Tumnus. The children are curious about Aslan and ask several questions, Mr. Beaver tells them about Aslan, and Edmund asks if the White Witch can turn him into stone, Mr. Beaver tells him no, and also tells them of a Narnia rhyme which says:
"Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again." (p. 74-75)
We learn that Aslan is a Lion and that "He is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the Sea" (p. 75) and that he doesn't come very often to Narnia. Susan and Lucy are a little alarmed when they find out Aslan is a lion and they ask if he is "safe." Mr. Beaver replies: " 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you." (p. 76). We then learn that the children are going to meet him the next day at the Stone Table. We learn another rhyme in course of the conversation that says:
"When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done." (p. 75)
We learn that there are four thrones at Cair Paravel, and that they will be filled by two boys and two girls. We also learn more details about the Witch and her history. At one point, the children realize that Edmund is gone. At first they are alarmed and want to go find him, however, after some discussion with the Beavers, they realize Edmund must have already met the Witch, and has been deceived, and is going to her house now, to tell her about the meeting at the Stone Table. Soon, everyone is busy getting ready to leave and get away from the Witch before she find them.
Chapter 9--goes into detail about Edmund's journey to the White Witch's house. The book says: "You mustn't think that even now Edmund was quite so bad that he actually wanted his brother and sisters to be turned into stone. He did want Turkish Delight and to be a Prince (and later a King) and to pay Peter out for calling him a beast." (p.85) It goes on a little more, but you can read the book yourself to get all the details. :-) Anyway, he eventually gets to her house, and sees lots of stone animals, when he finally sees the Witch, she is very angry with him for not bringing his siblings.
Chapter 10--goes into more detail about the packing preparations of the Beavers and the other children, they eventually start on their journey to the Stone Table. On the way there, they meet Father Christmas and he tells them that "I've come at last." "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." (p. 103) He then gives everyone presents, Mrs. Beaver gets a sewing machine, Mr. Beaver will find his dam/house all finished when he returns, and Peter gets a sword and a shield. Susan gets arrows and a horn (the horn is to use when she needs help, and Lucy gets a bottle (which is to use to help those who are injured/ill) and a dagger. Father Christmas tells the girls that their weapons (the arrows and the dagger) are to be used when they are in danger and he says: "for I do not mean you to fight in the battle." (p. 104)
Chapter 11--Edmund and the Queen continue on in their journey, and Edmund is having a miserable time. At one point they see some squirrels and other animals enjoying some dinner and having a party. The Queen demands to know where they got their items, and she is informed that Father Christmas gave it to them. In a rage, she turns the entire party to stone!
They continue on, and Edmund is upset with the Queen for turning the animals into stone. Soon, the sledge they are riding in, becomes impossible to ride, because of all the melting snow. Everyone has to get out now and walk. (Edmund has his hands tied up) The Queen's Dwarf at one point says: "This is no thaw" "This is spring. What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you! This is Aslan's doing." (p. 118) The Queen then tells the Dwarf and Edmund that if they mention Aslan's name again she will kill them!
Chapter 12--we learn that the children arrive at the Stone Table, and they meet Aslan. He talks to them some, and then takes Peter aside to tell him about how he will be the High King since he is the oldest. During this discussion, they hear Susan's horn, and run to see what is happening. Susan is being chased by one of the Queen's wolves and is up a tree, Peter gets his sword and kills the wolf. (this chapter is entitled "Peter's First Battle" by the way) Aslan then instructs the Narnia animals to go after a second wolf. Alsan then tells Peter he has forgotten to clean his sword, Peter cleans it, once it is cleaned, Aslan tells Peter to give him the sword and kneel. Aslan then strikes Peter with the flat blade of the sword and says:
"Rise up, Sir Peter Fenris-Bane. And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword."
Have a great day!
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