Plot Summary
The Discovery of Narnia
During the World War II air-raids in London, the four Pevensie siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—are sent to live in an old professor’s large, rambling country house. On a rainy day, they explore the house and discover a spare room containing only a large wardrobe. Lucy, the youngest, steps inside the wardrobe to hide and finds herself not in a closet, but in a snowy wood. A lamp-post stands incongruously in the middle of the forest. There, she meets a Faun named Mr. Tumnus, who is astonished to see a “Daughter of Eve.” He invites her to his cave for tea, where he plays his flute and tells her tales of Narnia.
Mr. Tumnus confesses with great distress that he is in the service of the White Witch, the cruel, self-proclaimed Queen of Narnia who has made it “always winter, but never Christmas.” His orders were to capture any human he found and deliver them to her. However, having grown fond of Lucy, he cannot bring himself to betray her. He guides her safely back to the lamp-post, and she returns through the wardrobe.
When Lucy tells her siblings about her adventure, they do not believe her. No time has passed in their world, and when they check the wardrobe, they find it is just an ordinary piece of furniture with a solid back. Edmund is particularly spiteful, teasing her relentlessly about her “imaginary country.”
The Traitor and the Queen
Days later, during a game of hide-and-seek, Lucy returns to the wardrobe. Edmund follows her, intending to mock her, but finds himself in Narnia as well. He cannot find Lucy and instead encounters a magnificent sledge drawn by white reindeer. Aboard is a tall, beautiful, but stern woman who introduces herself as the Queen of Narnia. This is the White Witch.
She enchants Edmund with magical Turkish Delight, which makes him want more than anything else in the world. As he eats, she coaxes information from him, learning that he has a brother and two sisters. She is particularly interested that there are four of them. The Witch promises to make Edmund a prince and eventually king if he brings his siblings to her castle, which lies between two hills. She tells him not to mention their meeting to the others, framing it as a surprise.
Edmund meets Lucy on his way back to the wardrobe. When they return to their own world, Lucy is excited that Edmund can now corroborate her story. However, to be spiteful, Edmund lies to Peter and Susan, claiming that he and Lucy were only playing and that Narnia is a fabrication. This act of betrayal deeply wounds Lucy. Peter and Susan, worried that Lucy is losing her mind, consult the Professor, who surprises them by suggesting that, logically, Lucy is likely telling the truth.
The Journey Begins
Soon after, all four children are forced to hide in the wardrobe to evade the housekeeper, Mrs. Macready, and a tour group. This time, all of them are transported to Narnia. They find themselves in the snowy wood, and Peter and Susan immediately apologize to Lucy for their disbelief. Peter is furious with Edmund for his earlier cruelty and deceit.
Lucy leads them to Mr. Tumnus’s cave, hoping to visit her friend. They find the cave ransacked and a notice from Maugrim, Captain of the Secret Police, stating that Tumnus has been arrested for High Treason for “comforting… spies and fraternizing with Humans.” Lucy realizes the Faun is in grave danger because of her, and the children feel they must rescue him.
Lost and unsure of what to do, they are guided by a robin and then meet a talking beaver, Mr. Beaver. He confirms their identity as “Sons of Adam” and “Daughters of Eve” by showing them the handkerchief Lucy had given Mr. Tumnus. He urges them to follow him to his dam, where they can talk safely.
The Prophecy and the Coming of Aslan
At the Beavers’ cozy home, they enjoy a meal of fresh fish and potatoes. Afterward, Mr. Beaver explains the situation in Narnia. The land is oppressed by the White Witch, who is not human but descended from giants and Jinn. Her reign, however, is subject to an ancient prophecy:
When Adam’s flesh and Adam’s bone
Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,
The evil time will be over and done.
The prophecy foretells that when two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve sit on the four thrones at the castle of Cair Paravel, the Witch’s rule and her life will end. This is why she hunts humans so fiercely.
The Beavers then reveal the most important news: Aslan is on the move. The mere mention of the name “Aslan” fills Peter, Susan, and Lucy with a sense of awe, hope, and wonder. Edmund, however, feels a mysterious horror. Aslan, the great Lion and true King of Narnia, has returned and will meet them at the Stone Table.
During this conversation, the children realize that Edmund has vanished. Mr. Beaver confirms their worst fears: Edmund has gone to the White Witch. He had the look of someone who had eaten her food and fallen under her spell. Realizing Edmund has betrayed them and will reveal their location and plans, the Beavers insist they must flee immediately to meet Aslan.
The Breaking of the Spell
Edmund, driven by his desire for more Turkish Delight and the promise of power, journeys through the cold and dark to the Witch’s castle. It is a frightening place, its courtyard filled with the statues of creatures the Witch has turned to stone. He finds the Witch and tells her everything, including that his siblings are with the Beavers and that Aslan has come. Enraged by the news of Aslan, the Witch immediately prepares her sledge to hunt the children down. She gives Edmund only stale bread and water, treating him with cold fury.
Meanwhile, the Beavers lead the other three children on a desperate journey. They travel through the night and hide in a secret cave. The next morning, they hear the sound of sledge bells and fear the Witch has found them. But it is not her. They emerge to find Father Christmas, whose arrival signifies that the Witch’s magic is finally breaking. He brings gifts for them, not as toys but as tools for the coming struggle:
* Peter receives a sword and a shield with a red lion emblazoned on it.
* Susan is given a bow with arrows that rarely miss and a magical horn that will summon help when blown.
* Lucy receives a small dagger and a vial containing a healing cordial made from the juice of a fire-flower, which can restore the wounded.
As they continue their journey, the world transforms around them. The snow melts, rivers thaw and flood, and the forest bursts into the full bloom of spring. The Witch, traveling with a bound Edmund, is forced to abandon her sledge as the thaw makes travel impossible. She and her dwarf drag Edmund on foot, growing more furious as the signs of Aslan’s power and her waning magic become undeniable.
The Sacrifice at the Stone Table
The children and the Beavers arrive at the Stone Table, a great slab on a green hilltop, where a host of loyal Narnians has gathered around Aslan. The sight of the Great Lion is both good and terrible, inspiring awe and reverence. Peter presents himself and his sisters. When Aslan asks about the fourth, Peter takes the blame for his anger contributing to Edmund’s betrayal.
Suddenly, Susan’s horn sounds an alarm. Peter rushes back to the camp to find her and Lucy being attacked by Maugrim, the wolf captain. Susan has scrambled up a tree, but is about to faint and fall. Peter, though terrified, duels with the wolf and kills it, earning the title “Sir Peter Wolf’s-Bane” from Aslan. Aslan then sends his swiftest creatures to follow the other wolf that was with Maugrim, knowing it will lead them to the Witch and Edmund. The rescue party succeeds, freeing Edmund from the Witch, who magically disguises herself to escape.
The next morning, the children see Aslan walking and talking with a deeply repentant Edmund. Aslan brings him back to his siblings, telling them, “there is no need to talk to him about what is past.” Just then, the White Witch arrives to parley. She invokes the “Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time,” which states that every traitor’s life is forfeit to her. By this law, Edmund’s blood is her property. Aslan acknowledges the validity of her claim. He then speaks with her privately. When they are finished, he announces that the Witch has renounced her claim on Edmund’s life.
That night, Lucy and Susan cannot sleep, feeling a sense of dread. They see Aslan walking sadly away from the camp and follow him. He allows them to accompany him part of the way to the Stone Table, asking them to comfort him. At the top of the hill, he tells them to hide and watch. They witness a horrific scene as the Witch and her vile followers bind the unresisting Aslan, shave his mane, and mock him. The Witch then kills him with a stone knife upon the Table, believing she has won Narnia forever.
Deeper Magic and the Final Battle
As the Witch and her army march off to war, Lucy and Susan weep over Aslan’s body. They remove his muzzle and spend the night beside him. As dawn approaches, they see a swarm of mice nibbling at the ropes, freeing his body. At sunrise, they hear a great crack and turn to see the Stone Table broken in two, and Aslan’s body is gone. Suddenly, a resurrected and magnificent Aslan appears before them.
He explains the “Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time”: if a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would work backwards. After a joyous romp with the girls, Aslan carries them on his back, racing across Narnia to the Witch’s castle. There, he breathes life back into the statues, liberating Mr. Tumnus and all the other creatures the Witch had petrified.
With this newly assembled army, Aslan arrives at the ongoing battle where Peter’s forces are on the verge of defeat. Edmund fights bravely, shattering the Witch’s wand before he is critically wounded. Aslan leaps upon the White Witch and kills her. The enemy army, leaderless, is quickly routed. Lucy uses her healing cordial to save Edmund’s life and heal the other wounded.
The Golden Age and the Return
The Pevensies are brought to Cair Paravel, where, in a great ceremony, Aslan crowns them. Peter becomes the High King, known as Peter the Magnificent. Susan is Queen Susan the Gentle. Edmund is King Edmund the Just. And Lucy is Queen Lucy the Valiant. As they begin their reign, Aslan quietly disappears.
The four siblings rule Narnia for many years, bringing peace and prosperity in what becomes known as the Golden Age. They grow into adults, wise and beloved rulers. One day, while hunting the magical White Stag, they come across the old lamp-post in the Western Wood. A strange familiarity stirs in them, and as they push deeper into the thicket, they find themselves walking not among branches, but fur coats.
They tumble out of the wardrobe back into the spare room, children once again, on the very same day and at the very same hour they had left. No time has passed in England. They tell their story to the Professor, who believes them completely. He assures them that they will return to Narnia one day, though not by the same route, for “Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia.”
Characters
Lucy Pevensie
Lucy is the youngest of the siblings and the first to discover Narnia. She represents faith, wonder, and truth. Her unwavering belief in what she has seen, even in the face of ridicule from her siblings, is her defining characteristic. She is honest, kind-hearted, and forms the initial bond between the human world and Narnia through her friendship with Mr. Tumnus. Her connection to Aslan is particularly strong, and she often perceives him more clearly than the others. Her journey is one of steadfastness, and she is ultimately crowned Queen Lucy the Valiant.
Edmund Pevensie
Edmund’s story forms the central moral arc of the book. Initially cynical, spiteful, and eager to assert himself over Lucy, he is easily seduced by the White Witch’s promises of power and enchanted Turkish Delight. His betrayal is a profound act of selfishness that endangers everyone. However, his experience as the Witch’s prisoner forces him to confront the true nature of evil. He is redeemed not by his own merit, but by Aslan’s sacrifice. His repentance is complete, and he fights with great courage in the final battle, earning the title King Edmund the Just. His journey is one of sin, suffering, and redemption.
Peter Pevensie
As the eldest, Peter feels the weight of responsibility. At first, he is skeptical of Lucy’s story and is often hard on Edmund, contributing to his brother’s alienation. Once in Narnia, however, he quickly steps into a leadership role. He is humbled before Aslan and accepts the mantle of command. His first test—killing the wolf Maugrim to save his sisters—is a crucial rite of passage, transforming him from a schoolboy into a warrior. He grows into a noble and courageous leader, becoming High King Peter the Magnificent.
Susan Pevensie
Susan is the practical, sensible, and cautious one. She is the last to be convinced of Narnia’s reality, relying on logic and what she can see. Her role in the story is less about fighting and more about providing counsel and support. Father Christmas gifts her a horn to call for help rather than a weapon for direct combat, highlighting her role as a protector rather than a warrior. Her journey is about learning to embrace faith and magic over her natural skepticism. She becomes Queen Susan the Gentle, known for her grace and diplomacy.
Aslan
The great Lion is the heart and soul of Narnia. He is its true King and a powerful, awe-inspiring figure who is both terrifying and good. Aslan represents divine power, justice, and sacrificial love. His actions drive the entire narrative: his return breaks the Witch’s spell, his sacrifice redeems Edmund, and his leadership wins the final battle. He is not a “tame lion,” and his ways are often mysterious and beyond mortal understanding, demanding faith and obedience from his followers. He serves as a clear Christ-figure in the story’s allegorical framework.
The White Witch (Jadis)
The primary antagonist, the White Witch is a usurper who has cast Narnia into a hundred-year winter. She embodies tyranny, deceit, and a cold, lifeless evil. She is powerful and cruel, turning her enemies to stone and ruling through fear. Her power, however, is based on a rigid, legalistic interpretation of “Deep Magic” and cannot comprehend the “Deeper Magic” of self-sacrifice and love that Aslan represents. Her temptation of Edmund with Turkish Delight is a classic portrait of how evil preys on human weakness and desire.
Core Themes
Good vs. Evil
The central conflict of the novel is a clear and archetypal struggle between good and evil. Aslan and his followers represent all that is good: life, spring, joy, loyalty, and justice. The White Witch and her army of monstrous creatures embody evil: death, winter, fear, betrayal, and tyranny. The story presents this as a cosmic war where there is no middle ground; characters must choose a side. The ultimate victory of Aslan demonstrates the inevitable triumph of good over evil.
Betrayal and Redemption
Edmund’s story arc is a powerful exploration of betrayal and the possibility of redemption. Seduced by temptation, he commits a terrible act of treachery against his own family. Yet, the story’s moral core is that even the worst of sins can be forgiven. Edmund does not earn his redemption; it is granted to him through Aslan’s sacrificial act. This theme emphasizes that forgiveness is a gift, and true repentance allows for complete restoration. Edmund’s transformation from a spiteful traitor to King Edmund the Just is the book’s most profound character journey.
Sacrifice and Resurrection
The most significant theological theme is that of sacrifice and resurrection, which is a direct allegory of the Christian story of Jesus Christ. Aslan willingly offers his own life to pay the price for Edmund’s treason, fulfilling the demands of the Deep Magic. His humiliating death at the hands of the Witch and her minions on the Stone Table mirrors the Crucifixion. His subsequent return to life, explained by a “Deeper Magic from Before the Dawn of Time,” parallels the Resurrection, demonstrating that selfless love is a power that can overcome even death and law.
Faith and Wonder
The story champions a childlike faith over the cynicism of the adult world. Lucy, the youngest and most open-hearted, is the first to enter Narnia because she is ready to believe in the impossible. Her siblings, who are older and more “logical,” must learn to set aside their disbelief to see the truth. The Professor, a wise adult, validates this perspective, suggesting that the most unbelievable stories can be true. Narnia is a world that rewards those who approach it with wonder and faith.
Plot devices
The Portal Fantasy
The wardrobe serves as a classic example of a portal, a literary device that transports characters from the mundane, ordinary world into a fantastical, magical one. This transition from a professor’s house in wartime England to the enchanted realm of Narnia establishes the central premise of the story. The portal is not always open and works according to its own mysterious rules, emphasizing that entry into the magical world is a privilege, not a right, and cannot be forced.
Prophecy
The narrative is heavily driven by prophecy. The ancient Narnian rhyme that foretells the end of the White Witch’s reign when two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve sit on the thrones at Cair Paravel gives the Pevensie children’s arrival a sense of destiny and cosmic importance. It elevates them from mere visitors to key figures in a preordained plan to liberate Narnia. This device frames the entire story as the fulfillment of a long-awaited destiny.
Anthropomorphism
The use of talking animals is a defining feature of Narnia. Creatures like Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are not just animals; they are characters with distinct personalities, homes, and moral allegiances. They function as guides, helpers, and friends to the children, explaining the history, politics, and theology of Narnia. This device makes the world feel alive and imbues the natural world with personality and moral significance, separating creatures into those loyal to Aslan and those who serve the Witch.
Allegory
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a deeply layered Christian allegory. Aslan is a clear Christ-figure who is the son of the “Emperor-beyond-the-Sea” (God the Father). His willing sacrifice on the Stone Table to save the traitor Edmund is a direct parallel to Christ’s crucifixion to atone for humanity’s sins. His resurrection demonstrates a power greater than death. Edmund represents fallen humanity, redeemed by this act of grace. The White Witch can be seen as a representation of Satan or evil, holding humanity captive through law (the Deep Magic) until defeated by grace (the Deeper Magic).
