The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis. The story takes place in the magical land of Narnia, which is ruled by the evil White Witch. The White Witch, also known as Jadis, holds the land in perpetual winter, where it is always snowing and never Christmas. She is a powerful and wicked sorceress who uses her magic to control and manipulate those around her.
It can be argued that the White Witch mirrors the threat of Nazism and the occupation of Europe which was present in the real world. As well as the Queen’s manipulation of fear to maintain control, there are also other similarities to Nazi Germany that can be identified in the text.
The reader s attention, therefore, is diverted away from the war, and directed towards the room that was quite empty except for one big wardrobe Lewis, pg. Last year s Christmas episode I covered A Christmas Carol, and this year I decided The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe would be a good fit since it has Santa in it or should I say Father Christmas.
She is a powerful and wicked sorceress who uses her magic to control and manipulate those around her. She is feared by the inhabitants of Narnia and is known for turning her enemies into stone. The White Witch is portrayed as a cruel, cold-hearted ruler who will stop at nothing to maintain her power.
Interpreting The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as World War Fiction
The following blog post is a web-friendly adaption of an essay I submitted for my second year studying English Literature at university, in which I explored the themes of ‘risk’, ‘danger’ and ‘action’ present within C.S. Lewis’ children’s novel The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe ( The Chronicles of Narnia ).
For those interested in reading the original academic sources I used to inform my interpretation, I have included a bibliography at the bottom of the post.
One of the main characters, Lucy Pevensie, stumbles upon the secret world of Narnia through a wardrobe in a spare room. She first encounters the White Witch, who initially appears to be kind and welcoming. However, as the story progresses, Lucy learns of the White Witch's true intentions and the evil she has brought upon Narnia. The Lion, Aslan, is another important character in the story. He is a wise and mighty lion who represents good and righteousness. Aslan is determined to save Narnia from the grip of the White Witch and restore peace and harmony to the land. He becomes a symbol of hope and courage for the other characters in the story. Throughout the novel, the White Witch tries to prevent Aslan and the four Pevensie children from fulfilling their destiny of defeating her and restoring Narnia. She uses her magic and deceitful tactics to try and stop them. However, in the end, good triumphs over evil, and the White Witch is defeated. The character of the White Witch provides a strong antagonist in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Her cold and calculating nature adds tension and conflict to the story, making her a memorable and formidable villain. Overall, the portrayal of the White Witch in this novel highlights the battle between good and evil and the power of courage and sacrifice..
Reviews for "The White Witch's Enchanted Winter in C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
1. John - 2 stars
I was quite disappointed with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and especially the portrayal of the White Witch. I found her character to be flat and unconvincing. Additionally, the story felt predictable and lacked depth. The writing style was also a letdown; it felt rushed and lacked the descriptive language that would have made the world come alive. Overall, I struggled to connect with the story and characters, and it left me wanting more.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I would not recommend "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" to others. The White Witch is portrayed as the main antagonist, but her motivations and backstory are sorely lacking. I found it difficult to understand why she was evil or what led her to become the way she is. Moreover, the pacing was off, making it hard to engage with the story. The lack of character development also left me disconnected from the protagonists. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not revisit it.
3. Michael - 2 stars
"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" failed to captivate me. The character of the White Witch felt one-dimensional and her actions lacked depth or complexity. While Aslan was introduced later in the story, he too left much to be desired. The plotline was predictable, and the writing style was basic, lacking the magic that could have made the story more enchanting. I was ultimately left feeling indifferent towards the book, as it failed to inspire or resonate with me.