Welcome to the month of June! To kick off the summer season, we’ll be focusing on all things high fantasy. Old and new, adapted or not, we’re chatting about the massive resurgence in love for the genre, with tons of high fantasy works being published monthly. To begin this month’s podcast with a classic, this week we’re revisiting the 2005 adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved installment in his Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
NoteThe following is an editorialized transcript of our weekly literary podcast. If you would like to listen to the podcast, click the play button above orlisten on your favorite platform with the links below.
What Is The Story of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
We begin in the midst of the London Blitz during World War II when the Pevensie children – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and young Lucy – are evacuated from the city to the countryside for their safety. They are sent to live with the eccentric Professor Kirke, whose connection to the magical world of Narnia will slowly be revealed. The children, portrayed as classic sibling archetypes, struggle to entertain themselves in the old professor’s house until Lucy stumbles through an enchanted wardrobe into the snow-laden land of Narnia.
In Narnia, we encounter the first of many talking mythical creatures – the faun Mr. Tumnus, charmingly played by a young James McAvoy. He explains to Lucy that Narnia is ruled by the cruel White Witch, who has cast a spell of endless winter, denying the inhabitants their cherished Christmas celebrations. This deprivation of an iconic childhood joy sets an ominous, oppressive tone demonstrating the Witch’s villainy. Mr. Tumnus alludes to an ancient prophecy that human sons of Adam and daughters of Eve will one day defeat the Witch with the help of Aslan, the great lion and rightful king.
When Edmund follows Lucy into Narnia, we witness the first glimpses of his jealousy and selfishness as the younger brother is easily seduced by the Witch’s Turkish Delight and empty promises of power. Tilda Swinton is mesmerizing as the seductive yet menacing White Witch, luring Edmund into betraying his siblings. This sows the first seeds of division within the family that must be overcome.
As the other Pevensie children finally experience Narnia for themselves, meeting delightful comic relief characters like the Beavers, we see their contrasting reactions. Lucy maintains her childlike innocence and willingness to believe, while Susan voices stubborn skepticism despite the magical evidence around them. Peter however begins exhibiting flashes of the brave leader he is destined to become in fulfilling the prophecy.
Underlying Themes
The Christian allegories and symbolism that C.S. Lewis wove into his novels become increasingly apparent. We learn Aslan is a Messianic figure, able to wield powerful ancient magic, whose eventual sacrificial offering to protect the Pevensies echoes the biblical stories. Meanwhile,
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