Narnia Reread: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The second box in Pixie Dust Official’s Narnia inspired boxes was, of course, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. For a long time, this was my favorite of the Narnia books, probably because it was the most well-known and the first in the series to be published. I’ve always felt a special connection to Lucy as the youngest sibling and having unshakable faith in my beliefs.

The one thing I wasn’t expecting as I reread The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was to realize how much I also connect with Edmund. We all know Edmund as the “bad” Pevensie. He’s spiteful and bratty. He sides with the White Witch. He betrays his family and all of Narnia for Turkish Delight. He’s the reason Aslan had to die.

But the thing with Edmund is he’s just like all of us. At times, we can all be mean and hurtful toward others, even if we know better. We can all do small things that betray our family or friends or even ourselves. And as a Christian, I believe we are all the reason that Jesus had to die.

And that’s why I love Edmund’s story (which I’m sure I’ll uncover further when I read the next books). Edmund shows humanity at its worst and he comes back from that. He does one of the worst things possible in Narnia, and he can still be a hero and a king. No one is beyond redemption.

The other part of the book that captured me was, of course, Aslan. Not just that he dies in Edmund’s place or breaks the Stone Table or defeats the White Witch, but also everything the other Narnians say about him. From the Beavers unshakeable faith in who he is (the King of the wood, King of Beasts, the great Lion) to the various reactions of the Pevensies upon hearing his name to the simple line that he’s “not like a tame lion”—all of these moments and snippets just reveal so much about who Aslan is beyond a description of his “unchanging eyes” or golden mane and big paws.

I love how Aslan is described in these books because it’s not secret that C.S. Lewis based him off his idea of Christ. And the idea of Jesus being a powerful entity that isn’t tame, that isn’t safe, but is good—that’s an incredible way to describe Him. Over and over, I’m astounded by C.S. Lewis’ ability to reveal truths of faith with such simple metaphors.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe may no longer be my favorite of the Narnia books, but as I reread it, I loved everything about it. From Lucy and Tumnus’ friendship to Father Christmas’ return to Edmund’s heroic smashing of the Witch’s wand, I will always love these books.

Narnia Reread Posts:

The Magician’s Nephew
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair