The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Key Facts

full title · The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

author · C. S. (Clive Staples) Lewis

type of work · Novel

genre · Children's literature

language · English

time and place written · 1950, England

date of first publication · 1950

publisher · Geoffrey Bless (original London publication)

narrator · Anonymous. The narrator reveals the story of Narnia through the eyes of a child and reveals the thoughts and motivations of the Pevensies, particularly Lucy and Edmund.

point of view · The narrator speaks in the third person and focuses on what the children can observe. The narrator is omniscient, and knows the hidden motives and emotions of the characters. The narrator alternates between providing insight into the actions and thoughts of Lucy, Aslan, and Edmund.

tone · Colloquial and relaxed

tense · Immediate past

setting (time) · World War II

setting (place) · The English countryside and the magical land of Narnia

protagonist · Aslan

antagonist · The White Witch

major conflict · Aslan, who represents good, defends the land of Narnia against the cruel and evil White Witch

rising action · The children enter Narnia and discover that the White Witch has taken Tumnus. Aslan returns to Narnia and breaks the Witch's spell, and Christmas arrives. Edmund betrays his siblings and must forfeit his life to the White Witch.

climax · The Witch murders Aslan, who has sacrificed his life so that Edmund can live.

falling action · Includes the resurrection of Aslan and the final battle between the Witch's forces and Aslan's followers. Also, the reign of the Pevensie children over Narnia.

themes · Christian allegory, faith, the possibility of the impossible, redemption, rebirth

motifs · Winter, spring, mythology

symbols · Narnia, Aslan, the White Witch, the Stone Table, the sea, fish

foreshadowing · Occurs when the Witch makes a bargain with Aslan and we sense evil on the horizon