The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Almost as soon as they enter the wardrobe, the siblings notice that they are cold and find themselves wandering into the winter woodland of Narnia. Peter immediately apologies for not believing Lucy and suggests that they explore the wood. Susan reminds them that as it is so cold, it might be helpful to take the fur coats from the wardrobe.

Warmly dressed in the borrowed coats, the children start exploring the forest. As they are talking, Edmund lets slip that this is not the first time he has been in Narnia after all, much to the others’ anger. Peter decides that Lucy should be the leader, as she is most familiar with Narnia and deserves it for no one believing her before. Lucy shows her siblings to Mr. Tumnus’s cave, but they discover that the White Witch has arrested him on charges of treason. Lucy realizes his treason was allowing her to escape and pleads with her siblings to help the faun. Despite reservations over the fact that they have nothing to eat, the children decide to try and save Mr. Tumnus. The group spots a robin, which leads them further into the woods. Edmund worries that the robin might be leading them into a trap and that they don’t know who in Narnia is good and who is bad—on top of the fact that they no longer know the way back home.

The robin flies away and seemingly deserts the children. However, the bird has led the group to a beaver (Mr. Beaver), who is a friend of Tumnus. Mr. Beaver proves his friendship with the faun by revealing a handkerchief that Lucy gave to Mr. Tumnus when he cried during their first encounter.

Mr. Beaver mysteriously says that “Aslan is on the move” (76). Although none of the children know who Aslan is, they all feel a strong sense of emotion when they hear his name. Lucy, Susan, and Peter all experience positive sensations, while Edmund is horror-struck. Mr. Beaver is scared that the White Witch’s spies could overhear their conversation and invites them back to his home for dinner.

Arriving back at the beaver’s cozy dam, Edmund notices two hills in the distance. Remembering that the White Witch lives between them, Edmund begins to obsess over the endless Turkish delight that she promised him. The siblings meet Mrs. Beaver and help prepare dinner. The meal ends with a delicious marmalade roll, and when everyone is finished, Mr. Beaver prepares to tell the children all about Narnia and Aslan.

The children learn that Mr. Tumnus has been arrested by the Witch’s secret police and likely turned to stone. The siblings, apart from Edmund, are desperate to help the faun, but Mr. Beaver says that the only thing that will help Mr. Tumnus is going to Aslan—a mighty lion and the rightful king of Narnia. Aslan has been absent for many years, but prophecies foretell that when he returns, the long winter of the White Witch will end. The plan is to meet Aslan at the Stone Table. However, the beaver reiterates that the prophecy also requires four “Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve” to sit on the thrones at Cair Paravel (92), a castle on the coast. The White Witch justifies her own reign by claiming to be human, but the beavers explain she is actually part giant and part Jinn, descended from Lilith (the “demonic” first wife of Adam in some mythology) and “bad all through” (91).

The siblings are panic-stricken when they realize that Edmund has vanished and want to search for him, but Mr. Beaver sadly explains that he noticed Edmund had a look about him that a person only gets if they have been to Narnia before and eaten enchanted food. Mr. Beaver suspects Edmund has betrayed them and left to join the White Witch. Everyone is uncertain about how much Edmund heard of the plan to meet Aslan, and the group decides to set off immediately, fearful that the Witch will soon be on her way to capture them.