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

A Book and Movie Comparison: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie captures the main themes of C.S. Lewis' first Narnia book extremely well. One of my favorite examples is when Peter saves Susan and Lucy from the wolf in Aslan’s camp. You can see the look of fear for his sisters and his own life when he fights the wolf. And also, after he kills the wolf and while he is hugging his sisters, you can see the relief and love in his eyes. The movie expresses the emotions of this scene extremely well, in my opinion. The main theme here is the importance of family, and this scene is a visual of what every family should be like.  

Another example is in the Beaver’s home. The Beavers risk being imprisoned and tortured by the White Witch to help their new friends, the Pevensies, find the Stone Table. The theme here is the importance of friends and standing against evil enemies.

My last example is when Aslan dies for Edmund. Edmund betrays his siblings and trusts the White Witch. He is rescued by Aslan’s army, but the White Witch, according to the Deep Magic of Narnia, still deserves Edmund’s blood. Aslan takes his place and dies instead. Susan and Lucy try to save Aslan, but can’t. They are crying when Aslan awakens, and Susan and Lucy run to him and hug him, overjoyed that he is alive. Aslan runs to the battlefield with new troops, and his army kills the White Witch. The theme is Jesus. Jesus did all of this: he died in our place and won the battle against the Devil. Jesus is the Ruler over all, the King of Kings, and he deserves our praise.

I give The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe movie five out of five stars for its extreme accuracy with the book. 

- By Colleen Cooper Cook

A Poem: The Boy On the Hill

Do you see that hill?
Do you see the boy?
Do you see the wretchedness in his eyes,
the blood and tears streaming from his face?

The bruise on his cheek,
the cut in his lip,
and the sword in his stomach
are nothing compared to
the pain in his heart.

He has been pierced with the realization
that he chose to follow his heart
in hopes of the greatest power and pleasure,
only to wind up serving a devil
from the deepest part of hell.

He betrayed his brothers for candy,
and turned away from his King
only to replace Him with
a liar and a murderer –
a devil dressed in white.

He deserves no friends,
no forgiveness or pity.
He is a traitor,
deserving of death –
a stone knife in the heart.

But look again.
Do you see the other figure?
The one beside the boy on the hill?
That is his Savior.
The King he betrayed,
the enemy of the devil in white.

His love is unending,
and His forgiveness pours out like water.
His power is beyond that of any devil.
This love He will show to the boy,
and this forgiveness He will grant him.
His power He will use to remove
the guilt and the sin
of the boy on the hill.

The task will be hard,
and pain will ensue.
But His love is greater
than any wound and every hurt.
His power is greater than death.

He was forsaken by friends.
He received neither forgiveness nor pity.
He was treated like a traitor.
Death was brought upon Him
in the form of a stone knife
in the hand of a devil
dressed in white.

He breathed His dying breath.
Darkness descended and storm clouds gathered.
The King was dead
and the devil had won.

But that is not the end,
for after the darkness comes the dawn,
and after the storm comes the sun…
with the sun, rising above the hills,
came the King in all His majesty.
Death He had defeated
and the boy’s sin He had removed
as far as the east is from the west.

He had taken the boy’s punishment
upon himself.
The stone knife meant for the boy
pierced Him instead.
The traitor had been rescued,
the price had been paid.

Do you see that boy?
The boy wearing the crown,
sitting on a throne
amongst the noblemen –
those warriors and ladies?
That was the boy on the hill.
He who deserved to be disowned
is now a part of the royal family
of the castle on the sea.
He who was once a traitor
is now a king.

Do you see that castle?
Do you see the boy?
Do you see the delight in his eyes,
the tears of joy streaming from his face?

The face you see
is the face of a sinner,
forgiven by the love and grace
of a King – not tame, but good…
good beyond imagination,
and loving beyond all knowledge.

- By Ashlyn Aura (Written June, 2011)