The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe

Title: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe

Author: C.S. Lewis

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: Eight to Twelve Years Old

Characters: Lucy, Edward, Peter, Susan, Professor Digory, Jadis, Aslan, Mr. Tumnus

Plot: One day, four children (Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy) were sent to live with Professor Digory out in the country. The children were playing hide and seek, and Lucy decided to hide in a wardrobe in the house. She discovered that the wardrobe had no end, she kept walking until she found herself in snow. Mr. Tumnus encountered Lucy as she entered the world of Narnia. Lucy goes to his house and learns about the White Witch. Despite the White Witch's orders, the faun safely returns Lucy to her home. She tries to tell her siblings about Narnia, but they don't believe her. Edmund and Lucy hide in the wardrobe together one time when playing hide and seek. Edmund ends up on the White Witch's sledge, but she introduces herself as the Queen of Narnia. The Queen has placed a spell on Narnia so that it is always winter in Narnia. After feeding Edmund Turkish Delight she tells him that if he bring back the three other children she'll make him King of Narnia. Lucy and Edmund leave Narnia, and Lucy tells the others that Edmund was there with her. Edmund decides to be mean and says he wasn't there. The others become mad at him. Another day, the children were trying to hide from Mrs. Macready, in the wardrobe. Soon they were all in Narnia. They found out that Mr. Tumnus had been taken for not reporting Lucy to the White Witch. The children go out on a search to save the faun. A beaver couple takes care of the children and helps them to find Aslan. In the meantime, Edmund sneaks off to seek the Queen of Narnia. While Father Christmas comes and gives gifts to the children. Edmund is being tortured by the Queen. The snow begins to melt, and her sledge becomes stranded. The Queen/Witch meets up with Aslan the lion, and he is sacrificed. The lion is raised back to life at dawn. There is a battle in which the White Witch is killed. Edmund apologizes for his betrayal. The siblings reign Narnia. Afterwards, they tell the Professor of their adventures and he believes them.

Biblical Allusion: Aslan the lion is symbolic of Jesus Christ/God. In this book he was sacrificed and raised again. Edmund can also be seen as the figure of Judas. He gave the White Witch (Pharisees/others who didn't like Jesus) information of where Aslan (Jesus) was. This book was an excellent example of the betrayal and death of Christ.

Precautions: There isn't really anything that is concerning about this particular book. There is a battle and death, but it is not in much detail.

Ratings: I would highly recommend this book. It is a great tool for symbolically retelling the betrayal and death of Christ.