by Matthew Jackson

Created on: December 17, 2008   Last Updated: November 25, 2010

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book written in a series called Narnia by C.S Lewis and is placed second in the series. During the novel a group of young siblings gain access to the magical word of Narnia through a magic cabinet. The world they emerge into is on the brink of war and it is up to them to decide its fate. There are several primary characters in the novel which can be broken up into three main groups: The Pensive Children, Aslan and the White Witch, and a couple of other characters important to the plot.

The four pensive children are the only humans to enter the world of Narnia during the Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe. They enter the world of Narnia after accidentally discovering it in an ancient house. The four pensive children are divided up into two girls and two boys. They are in order of age, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.

Peter is the leader of the pensive children, even though he didn't discover Narnia. Peter does not believe Lucy when she tells him about Narnia, until he experiences it himself. Peter plays a vital role in Aslan's army during the war against the White Witch. Peter is eventually crowned High King of Narnia, but does not return until the final book. Some critics suggest that Peter Pensive is an allegorical reference to St. Peter, the first Pope. Both Peter Pensive and Peter the apostle were given the title Wolfsbane, by Aslan and Christ respectively.

Susan is the oldest girl in the pensive family. She is generally critical and disbelieving. She also doubts the existence of Narnia until she goes herself. At the end of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe she is crowned Queen Susan the Gentle. She plays a minor role in the rest of the series and does not make it to Aslan's Country with the other pensive children at the end of the series.

Edmund is the youngest boy, and third pensive child. He acts cruelly to his siblings at the beginning of the novel and is even seduced to betray them by the White Witch. Edmund eventually realises his mistake and truly repents. He is forgiven by Aslan and aids in the war against the White Witch. Eventually Edmund is named King Edmund the Just. Edmund appears often with Lucy in subsequent trips to Narnia throughout the rest of the series.

Lucy is the youngest Pensive child. It is she who first discovers Narnia in Professor Kirke's house. She also is the one who befriends Mr. Tumnus and is almost kidnapped by him. At the end of the novel Lucy is named Queen Lucy the Valient.

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