The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe A Story For Children – Fine Copy

Published by Bles, London, UK, 1969. Reprint. Original cloth. Dustwrapper. Size: 14.3cm x 20.4cm. Pp. 173. Illustrated throughout by Pauline Baynes. Binding nice and tight. Cloth and pages very nice and clean. A fine, tight, bright, clean copy in fine, very slightly spine-darkened dustwrapper. An exceptional copy.

The Story:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic children’s fantasy novel by British author C.S. Lewis, first published in 1950. It is the first book written in The Chronicles of Narnia series, although it is the second book in chronological order. The story is set in the magical land of Narnia, and it blends themes of good versus evil, redemption, and bravery with rich allegory and Christian symbolism.

Plot Summary:

The story begins during World War II when four siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—are evacuated from London to the English countryside to escape the Blitz. While exploring the large house of Professor Digory Kirke, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to a magical land called Narnia.

Major Characters:

• Lucy Pevensie: The youngest of the Pevensie siblings and the first to discover Narnia. She is kind-hearted and brave.
• Edmund Pevensie: Initially betrays his siblings by siding with the White Witch, but later redeems himself.
• Peter Pevensie: The eldest of the Pevensie siblings, he takes on a leadership role.
• Susan Pevensie: The second eldest, she is practical and cautious.
• Aslan: The great lion and true king of Narnia, representing goodness and justice. He is a Christ-like figure in the story.
• The White Witch (Jadis): The primary antagonist who has plunged Narnia into eternal winter and rules as a tyrant. She is symbolic of evil and deception.
• Mr. Tumnus: A friendly faun who helps Lucy when she first arrives in Narnia.
• The Beavers: Talking animals who assist the Pevensies and are loyal to Aslan.

Key Plot Points:

• Lucy’s Discovery: Lucy stumbles into Narnia through the wardrobe and meets Mr. Tumnus, a faun, who tells her about the White Witch, who has cast a spell over Narnia, making it “always winter, but never Christmas.”
• Edmund’s Betrayal: Edmund follows Lucy into Narnia but meets the White Witch, who deceives him with enchanted Turkish Delight and promises of power. He later betrays his siblings by revealing their presence to the Witch.
• The Pevensies in Narnia: Eventually, all four children enter Narnia and become part of a resistance movement against the White Witch, led by the great lion Aslan.
• Aslan’s Sacrifice and Resurrection: In a pivotal moment, Aslan sacrifices himself to save Edmund, who is a traitor. He is killed by the Witch on the Stone Table, but later resurrected, representing a deeper magic and the theme of redemption.
• The Final Battle: Aslan leads an army of creatures loyal to him against the White Witch’s forces. The Pevensie children fight bravely, and the Witch is defeated.
• The Pevensies Become Kings and Queens: After the victory, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are crowned kings and queens of Narnia, ruling for many years until they return to the real world as children once more.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Good vs. Evil: The central conflict in the story is the battle between Aslan (representing good) and the White Witch (representing evil).
• Christian Allegory: Aslan’s sacrifice and resurrection are clear parallels to the story of Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis, a devout Christian, used Narnia as a way to explore spiritual themes, although the book can be enjoyed on multiple levels, not just as a religious allegory.
• Redemption: Edmund’s arc of betrayal and eventual redemption is a key theme, showing that even those who make grave mistakes can be forgiven and redeemed.
• Courage and Bravery: The Pevensie children, particularly Lucy and Peter, grow throughout the novel as they face the challenges of Narnia, learning to be brave and fight for what is right.

Legacy:

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the most beloved children’s books of all time and has been adapted into various forms, including stage plays, radio dramas, and films. The 2005 film adaptation brought renewed attention to the story and introduced it to a new generation of readers.

It’s also a book that appeals to both children and adults, with its imaginative world-building and deeper philosophical and moral undertones.

C. S. Lewis: A Short Biography:

C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was a British writer, scholar, and lay theologian, best known for his works of fiction, especially The Chronicles of Narnia, and for his Christian apologetics. He is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland).
• Family: Lewis was born to Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Florence Augusta Lewis, who was well-educated and instilled in him a love of reading.
• Childhood: Lewis was an imaginative child, creating fantastical worlds with his brother, Warren. He was deeply affected by the death of his mother when he was nine years old, which led to a period of spiritual doubt.
• Education: Lewis was educated at various schools in England and later attended University College, Oxford, where he excelled in classical literature, philosophy, and English literature.

Academic Career:

• Oxford University: After serving in World War I, where he was wounded, Lewis returned to Oxford and completed his studies. He became a fellow and tutor in English literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, a position he held from 1925 to 1954.
• Cambridge University: In 1954, he was appointed to the newly created Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he worked until his retirement.

Literary Career:

• Early Works: Lewis’s early publications included academic works on literature, such as The Allegory of Love (1936), a study of medieval literature.
• Conversion to Christianity: Originally an atheist, Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931, influenced by conversations with friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. His conversion profoundly impacted his writing and thought.
• Christian Apologetics: Lewis became a prominent Christian apologist, writing books such as Mere Christianity (1952), The Problem of Pain (1940), and The Screwtape Letters (1942). These works are known for their clarity, wit, and persuasive arguments for Christian faith.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Lewis’s most famous fictional works are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels written between 1949 and 1954. The series has become a classic of children’s literature, known for its imaginative world, moral lessons, and Christian allegory.
• Other Fiction: Lewis also wrote other notable fiction, including The Space Trilogy (also known as the Ransom Trilogy), which explores themes of good and evil, and The Great Divorce (1945), an allegorical tale about heaven and hell.

Personal Life:

• Friendship with Tolkien: Lewis was part of the informal literary group known as the Inklings, which included J.R.R. Tolkien. The group met regularly to discuss literature and ideas, and their friendship had a significant influence on both writers’ works.
• Marriage: Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American writer, in 1956. Their marriage was a source of deep joy for Lewis, but it was cut short by her death from cancer in 1960. Lewis later reflected on his grief in the book A Grief Observed (1961).

Death and Legacy:

• Death: C.S. Lewis died on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, England, the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
• Legacy: Lewis is remembered as one of the most influential Christian thinkers and writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be widely read and admired for their literary quality, moral depth, and spiritual insight. His influence extends across literature, theology, and popular culture.

Pauline Baynes: A Short Biography:

Pauline Baynes was a British illustrator best known for her work on C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series and J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Her detailed and imaginative illustrations have made her one of the most beloved illustrators in children’s literature.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: Pauline Diana Baynes was born on September 9, 1922, in Hove, Sussex, England.
• Family and Childhood: Baynes spent part of her childhood in India, where her father worked, before returning to England. Her early experiences in both countries influenced her imaginative style.
• Education: She studied at the Farnham School of Art and then at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, though she left Slade to work for the Ministry of Defence during World War II.

Career:

• Early Career: Baynes began her career illustrating books and working on instructional manuals during the war. Her early work showcased her attention to detail and her ability to bring stories to life through art.
• Work with C.S. Lewis: Baynes’s career took a significant turn when she was selected to illustrate The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. Her illustrations for the seven books in the series, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950, became iconic. Lewis was particularly pleased with her work, famously saying that she “had reduced his text to a commentary on her drawings.”
• Work with J.R.R. Tolkien: Baynes also illustrated several works by J.R.R. Tolkien, including Farmer Giles of Ham, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and Smith of Wootton Major. Tolkien admired her work and appreciated her ability to capture the essence of his Middle-earth, even though she never illustrated The Lord of the Rings itself.
• Style: Baynes was known for her intricate, decorative style, which often included medieval and fantasy elements. Her illustrations were filled with fine details and a sense of whimsy, making them perfect for the fantasy worlds she depicted.

Personal Life:

• Marriage: Pauline Baynes married Fritz Otto Gasch in 1961, a German former prisoner of war whom she met after the war. The couple lived in a village in Surrey, where she continued her work as an illustrator.

Later Work and Legacy:

• Prolific Career: Baynes illustrated over 100 books during her career, working with a variety of authors and genres. Her work extended beyond Narnia and Tolkien, including books by Richard Adams and Mary Norton.
• Recognition: Baynes received several awards and honours for her contributions to illustration, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1968. Her work remains beloved by readers and continues to be recognized for its artistic and literary value.
• Death: Pauline Baynes passed away on August 1, 2008, at the age of 85.

Legacy:

Pauline Baynes’s illustrations have left an indelible mark on the world of children’s literature. Her ability to visualize and enhance the worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien has made her illustrations timeless, cherished by generations of readers. Her work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, detail, and the way it complements and enhances the stories she illustrated.

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