The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Lucy and Edmond have found their way into Narnia. They both could describe their first encounters as positive, but they are poles apart. Lucy has met a new friend, Mr. Tumnus, and has shared tea and conversation with the faun. In short, they have become friends through mutual sharing. Neither has anything to offer the other except the delight of learning about the other.

Edmund, on the other hand, has met the White Witch. She has evoked loyalty from him that is not based on friendship or mutuality. Without disclosing anything of herself, she has latched on to Edmund’s appetite and vanity. She feeds him Turkish Delight a taffy that he now craves, though no amount of it will satisfy. She tells him that he will be the High King if he brings (betrays) his brother and sisters to her. The more she promises, the more wonderful she becomes.

But what were Edmund and Lucy like before they stepped into the wardrobe? Edmund has already taken delight out of picking on his little sister. Even after he knows that Lucy did not lie about finding a world within the wardrobe, he would rather deny the truth than lose his "rank". It is as if the discomfort that he can visit on Lucy gives him a sense of power and worth. This is Edmund’s downfall. It is a trait that went into Narnia with him and made him easy prey for the White Witch who knows well the power that she has if she can awaken greed in another. Edmund is willing to forget that he is a brother. He would rather imagine that he is a lord. It is, of course, an illusion (in Narnia as well as here). What need does the witch have of him really? She needs only a betrayer, and it is not in her character to share power.

Speaking of character, the professor makes a connection between truth and character, between the words and the truth-teller. Most of the time, like the children, we try to measure the truth of a statement by judging the reasonability of the words. The professor suggests that the character of the speaker is also a consideration. Truth is not only in the telling, but also in the teller. One who has an intent to lie, can do so by using true words. Compare this to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness where the tempter quotes the scriptures to him. Consider the prologue to John’s Gospel where there is a continuity between the creative Word of God and the life of Jesus. For C.S. Lewis, in the last analysis, the life (and not the words) becomes the only complete expression of the truth.

Home ____ Next