A Book Report: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (An Adventure About Salvation)

For most kids, hiding in a dark wardrobe can be strange or scary, but for the Pevensie children, it was the start of an epic adventure. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe  takes place in the English countryside during World War II. The adventure begins when Peter, Susan , Edmund and Lucy are sent away to a professor’s house in the countryside to escape the bombings happening at home in London. They enter the magical land of Narnia through a wardrobe and find themselves in an entirely new land: a place of un-ending winter and a place where animals speak. They soon learn that they are the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken of throughout the land. 

The characters in this novel are fascinating. The White Witch, who claims to be the queen of Narnia, is one of the antagonists. The Great Lion Aslan, a protagonist, is the real king of Narnia. Edmund Pevensie follows his younger sister, Lucy, into Narnia. While he is looking for her, he meets the White Witch, falls under her spell, and betrays his siblings. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver take Peter, Susan, and Lucy to Aslan. Only the Great Lion is able to take back Edmund from the White Witch. The Witch says that Edmund must die on the Stone Table, but Aslan sacrifices himself so Edmund can live. In the end, Aslan comes back to life and defeats the Witch. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy become the kings and queens of Narnia and reign for many years before magically and suddenly returning home to England. 

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was written by C.S. Lewis in 1950. He converted to Christianity as an adult when his two friends, J.R.R. Tolkien (the author of The Lord of the Rings) and Hugo Dyson witnessed to him in 1931. He responded to his new-found faith the way writers do: by creating his own story of salvation for children to read and enjoy in the hopes of maybe even leading them to a saving faith. It is clear that Lewis’ Christian worldview and faith are the driving themes of this novel. 

There are many symbols in this book. The most important is Aslan, who represents Jesus. Edmund represents all of us, as sinners, who can be tempted by sin and easily give in to the darkness within. Another symbol is the Stone Table, where Aslan sacrificed himself for Edmund just like Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for us, even though we are the ones who deserve to die. 

I really enjoyed reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe because of its action, suspense, and its story of salvation through sacrifice and grace. As the youngest in my family and the tallest in my class, I identify with Lucy the most. However, all of us, as sinners, should identify on the whole with Edmund. Even though this novel was written as a children’s book, I feel it is fascinating for people of all ages.

– By Shieldmaiden