The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the Online Book Club discussion of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. 

Did you love reading the beginning of this book this week? I think one of the best things about this book is that as soon as you begin reading it, you are immediately transported into a new world. I feel like, with some books, it takes a while for the action to start or to feel comfortable in the setting. But, with this book, I felt at home right away. Which character were you drawn to at the beginning? I think Lucy is the most easy to love since she is mentioned most often. I do feel a soft spot for Mr. Tumnus, even though he starts this chapter by contemplating turning Lucy in to the White Witch. 

Did you notice at the beginning of the book that C.S. Lewis dedicated the book to someone named Lucy Barfield? And, he wrote a little letter to her, too? Lucy Barfield was the daughter of one of Lewis's friends, and she served as the muse for the book. If you'd like to read more about her check out this article. 

The Professor's house features heavily in the first section of the book, and when I was reading the descriptions of the rooms, I wondered if that house bore any resemblance to Lewis's personal home. Check out this website, if you'd like to see the outside of the house, and check out this blog post, if you'd like to read more about the interior and the tour experience. Do you think there are similarities between the Professor's house and Lewis's house? 

Near the end of this section, Edmund finds his way to Narnia, after teasing Lucy and not believing that she had been anywhere other than the inside of wardrobe, and he immediately comes in contact with the White Witch. She immediately wins his trust by giving him food and drink, and she wants him to bring back his siblings. At this point, we don't really know why the White Witch wants to have any Daughters of Eve or Sons of Adam, but since she has everyone out looking for boys and girls, we know that she must have some plan for them. Why do you think she is so interested? Do you think she would really want Edmund to become the Prince of Narnia? She mentions that to him at the end of their conversation. 

Were you surprised that Edmund was so quick to believe what the White Witch had to say? When Lucy described the White Witch's actions, Edmund immediately dismisses them and believes what the White Witch has told him. Why do you think he does that instead of believe what his sister, a person he has known a lot longer, has to say? 

At the end of this section, all of the children make it to Narnia and realize that Mr. Tumnus has been arrested, and his house has been ransacked. He is accused of harboring spies and fraternizing with human beings. Instead of leaving when they see this horrible mess, the children decide to stay in Narnia and help Mr. Tumnus. At the end of the section, they are lost and hungry--do you think they will make it to Mr. Tumnus? Will they get help in the woods? 

Did any other details stick out to you in this section? Are you excited to read more? 

If you'd like to hear about the movie version from the actors that were in the movie, check out the video clip below. I always think it's interesting to hear what actors say about the parts they play. 

I hope you enjoyed the section this week, and I hope you'll join us again next week as we read the next six chapters. Make sure to leave a comment to let me know how you enjoyed the first chapters.