Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a celebrated children's fantasy book written by C.S. Lewis. First published in 1950, it takes readers on an enchanting journey to the magical world of Narnia. The story follows four siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie - as they stumble upon a wardrobe that serves as a portal to Narnia. When the children enter Narnia, they discover a land trapped in eternal winter, ruled by the evil White Witch.
Lewis dedicated the first book to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield and gave her name to the fictional Lucy Pevensie, who—with her siblings Peter, Susan, and Edmund—figures as a character in the series. Most Lewis scholars agree that it is preferable to read the books in order of publication. They were originally illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Books from the series have also been adapted several times for radio, television, stage, and film productions.
When Lucy returns to Narnia with her three siblings, they help the great lion Aslan the form in which the Son of God usually appears in Narnia defeat the White Witch and free Narnia from her power. The other six books recount further adventures in Narnia and develop Lewis s fantasy world, which is full of detail and atmosphere, populated with animals such as beavers, mice, and wolves , creatures from Germanic and classical mythology giants, dwarfs, centaurs, unicorns, fauns, dryads, and numerous others , made-up beings such as the one-footed Dufflepuds or Duffers and the tall, web-footed Marsh-wiggles, and children visiting from their everyday world.
When the children enter Narnia, they discover a land trapped in eternal winter, ruled by the evil White Witch. As they navigate through this wintery wonderland, they encounter various creatures and mythical beings, including talking animals and the powerful lion, Aslan. With the help of Aslan, the children embark on a thrilling adventure, ultimately becoming involved in a battle to reclaim Narnia from the clutches of the White Witch.
The Chronicles of Narnia
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Give Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedbackOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites- Internet Archive - "Chronicles of Narnia Books"
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedbackOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites- Internet Archive - "Chronicles of Narnia Books"
Peter J. Schakel received his B.A. from Central College in Iowa and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1969 he began teaching at Hope College, where he is the Peter C. and Emajean Cook.
Peter Schakel Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 10, 2023 • Article History Table of ContentsThe Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books by C.S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956). The series is considered a classic of fantasy literature and has influenced many other fantasy works.
Lewis dedicated the first book to his goddaughter Lucy Barfield and gave her name to the fictional Lucy Pevensie, who—with her siblings Peter, Susan, and Edmund—figures as a character in the series. Most Lewis scholars agree that it is preferable to read the books in order of publication. They were originally illustrated by Pauline Baynes. Books from the series have also been adapted several times for radio, television, stage, and film productions.
Britannica Quiz Classic Children’s Books QuizIn The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe the young Lucy goes through the back of a wardrobe into Narnia, an imaginary land ruled by a tyrannical White Witch who has made it, as one character explains, “[a]lways winter and never Christmas.” When Lucy returns to Narnia with her three siblings, they help the great lion Aslan (the form in which the Son of God usually appears in Narnia) defeat the White Witch and free Narnia from her power. The other six books recount further adventures in Narnia and develop Lewis’s fantasy world, which is full of detail and atmosphere, populated with animals (such as beavers, mice, and wolves), creatures from Germanic and classical mythology (giants, dwarfs, centaurs, unicorns, fauns, dryads, and numerous others), made-up beings such as the one-footed Dufflepuds (or Duffers) and the tall, web-footed Marsh-wiggles, and children visiting from their everyday world. Living, through the imagination, in the idyllic, pastoral Narnia is part of the appeal of the stories for children and adults.
The stories also appeal widely because of their mythical qualities—the way they deal with the marvelous and supernatural, exploring basic issues of existence, such as origins, endings, meaning, and purpose. And they appeal, at least to some readers, because of their connections with Christianity. Lewis said frequently, in essays and letters, that he did not intend the stories to be allegories and did not regard them as such. He preferred thinking of them as “supposals.” Thus he wrote to a fifth-grade class in Maryland, “Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as He became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.” Some episodes in the Chronicles are reminiscent of biblical narrative and imagery, such as Aslan’s dying in Edmund’s place in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the creation of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew, and the scenes in the heaven of the new Narnia in The Last Battle. But Lewis was not trying just to retell Bible stories in a different setting. Rather, he was telling new stories of the biblical type—a new creation story, a new sacrifice story. He was writing stories that he intended to stand on their own, as interesting adventure-filled narratives that would echo other stories, classical and Christian, and enrich the imaginative experiences of his readers.
The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven children’s books by C.S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950), Prince Caspian (1951), The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s Nephew (1955), and The Last Battle (1956). The series is considered a classic of fantasy literature and has influenced many other fantasy works.
One of the main themes of the book is the battle between good and evil. Aslan, representing goodness and nobility, stands in stark contrast to the White Witch, who represents darkness and cruelty. Through the character development of the Pevensie children, Lewis explores the choices we make in the face of temptation and the consequences of those choices. Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not only an engaging and imaginative tale but also serves as a metaphorical exploration of Christian themes. Aslan's self-sacrifice for Edmund's betrayal echoes the story of Jesus Christ, reinforcing themes of redemption and forgiveness. The book's popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including a highly successful film series. Its enduring appeal lies in its captivating storytelling, vivid descriptions, and the timeless themes it explores. Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe continues to captivate imaginations and enthrall readers of all ages, making it a true literary classic..
Reviews for "The Role of Imagination in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"
1. John - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy reading "Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe book" at all. The story felt slow and dragged on for too long. The characters didn't captivate me, and their development felt lacking. Additionally, the magical elements in the book were underwhelming and didn't immerse me in the world of Narnia. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe book" had its moments, I found it to be a bit too predictable. The plot twists were foreseeable, and I never felt surprised or intrigued by the story. Additionally, the writing style was simple and lacked depth. The dialogue between the characters often felt forced and unnatural. Although I appreciate the fantasy genre, this particular book failed to captivate me or leave a lasting impression.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I was not a fan of "Narnia the lion the witch and the wardrobe book." The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on while others were glossed over too quickly. The dialogue between the characters felt cheesy and lacked authenticity. Moreover, the religious undertones in the book were quite heavy-handed and overshadowed the overall narrative. I understand that this book is beloved by many, but personally, I didn't find it engaging or enjoyable.