The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

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The Lion, The Witch and
The Wardrobe
Study Guide
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Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………. 2
Play Synopsis……………………… 3
Meet the Playwright………………...4
The Characters…………………….. 6
Creatures of Narnia………………... 7
Costuming………………………… 8
World War Two...………………… 10
Glossary………………………….. 12
Classroom Activities………………13
This study guide has information and activities that can be done with your students before and after
attending the live stage production. Please feel free to make copies for your students and colleagues. Also,
please visit our website at http://www.pcpa.org for even more educational materials and interactive
resources for students and teachers!
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As World War 2 hits London the Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are
evacuated from London to avoid the German bombing. They are sent to a large estate in
the English country occupied by Professor Digory Krike and his housekeeper Mrs.
Macready.
While exploring their new surroundings the children stumble upon an empty room, save
for a large wardrobe. Uninterested, the three older children leave Lucy alone to explore.
She enters the wardrobe only to find it transports her to a new world, Narnia.
As Lucy looks around at her new surroundings she meets a Faun named Mr. Tumnus.
He explains that Narnia is being held in a constant winter without a Christmas by the evil
White Witch, who calls herself the ‘Queen of Narnia’. It is his charge to deliver any
human child to her, but Lucy’s good spirit changes his mind and he guides her back to
the wardrobe.
Lucy returns to England only to find that though many hours passed in Narnia, only
minutes have passed at the Professor’s estate. She also discovers that no one believes her
tale about the Faun and the White Witch. However, several days later Edmund follows
Lucy into the wardrobe and Narnia where he meets the ‘Queen of Narnia’ herself. The
White Witch bribes him with sweets and the promise of a throne, convincing him to
bring the rest of his family to her upon his return.
Edmund and Lucy return from Narnia and Lucy races to tell Peter and Susan of their
adventure, she now seems to have proof that Narnia is real. When questioned about the
visit Edmund denies it all, leaving Lucy in tears. Peter and Susan take their concerns
about Lucy to the Professor who tells them “Either your sister is telling lies, or she is
mad, or she is telling the truth. You know she doesn’t tell lies and it’s obvious that she is
not mad. Therefore we must assume that she is telling the truth.”
Soon thereafter the first quartet hides in the wardrobe to avoid Mrs. Macready the
housekeeper, finding themselves in Narnia. They discover Mr. Tumnus has been arrested
for socializing with Lucy and are guided out of harm’s way by Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. The
Beavers tell the children the history of Narnia and that they are part of its future.
Together the four of them must sit on the thrones at Cair Paravel in order to free Narnia
from the White Witch. To help them, Aslan, the mighty lion and King of all Narnia, has
returned and awaits them at the Stone Table.
When the children turn to leave they discover Edmund has betrayed them and gone in
search of the White Witch. Many adventures follow as the Pevensie children fight to save
Narnia and themselves.
P
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Meet the Playwright
November 29, 1898 – Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast, Ireland
1902 – His dog, Jacksie, was run over by a car. Clive announced that he was now to be called Jacksie
and would answer to nothing else. He later accepted Jack and was known by that name for the rest
of his life.
September 1913 – Enrolled at Malvern College where he stayed until the following June. He began
studying Wagner’s music, Norse mythology and the occult. At age 15 he became an atheist, rejecting
his Christian upbringing.
1914-1916 – Studying privately under William T. Kirkpatrick he fell in love with Greek literature and
mythology, anthropomorphic animals, ancient Scandinavian literature and Icelandic sagas.
April 26-September 1917 – Attended University College, Oxford under a scholarship. He left the
college to enlist in the British Army, becoming an officer in the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light
Infantry.
April 15, 1919 – He is wounded on Mount Berenchon during the Battle of Arras and is discharged
in December of that year.
February 1919 – “Death in Battle” was published in Reveille; it was Lewis’s first publication outside
of school.
1919-1924 – Finished studies at University College receiving the highest marks in Greek and Latin
Literature, Philosophy and Ancient History, and English.
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1925-1954 – Taught as a fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. He met and befriended J.R.R Tolkien
here and both were part of the literary discussion group “The Inklings”.
1931 – Lewis became a Christian.
1938 – Out of the Silent Planet was published. It was the first of Lewis’s space trilogy which later
included Perelandra (1943) and That Hideous Strength (1945).
1950 – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was published. It is the first of the seven Chronicles of
Narnia books, but not the first chronologically (it is second to The Magician’s Nephew.)
1951-1956 – The rest of the Chronicles of Narnia books are published. Prince Caspian (1951), The
Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader’ (1952), The Silver Chair (1953), The Horse and His Boy (1954), The Magician’s
Nephew (1955), The Last Battle (1956)
1955 – Surprised by Joy, Lewis’s autobiography was published.
March 1957 – Married Joy Gresham in her hospital bed. She had terminal bone cancer and died in
1960. Lewis continued raising her two sons after her death.
November 22, 1963 – Lewis died after suffering from various illnesses including a heart attack and
kidney problems.
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Characters

Peter PevensieThe oldest of the children
Peter is noble and
courageous. He is crowned
High King of Narnia and is
known as King Peter the
Magnificent.

Lucy PevensieThe youngest of the children
Lucy is kind and brave. She is
the first to discover Narnia
and later convinces her
siblings to help her free Mr.
Tumnus the Faun. She
becomes Queen Lucy the
Valiant.

The White WitchThe self proclaimed ‘Queen
of Narnia’ she places the land
in a permanent winter.
Legend has it that four
human children will defeat
her.

Mr. and Mrs. BeaverFriends of Mr. Tumnus this
husband and wife guide the
Pevensie children to the
Stone Table and Aslan.

Susan PevensieThe second oldest of the
children Susan is sweet and
kind. She is known as Queen
Susan the Gentle.

Professor Digory KirkeThe older man the Pevensie
children are sent to live with
and owner of the wardrobe.
He has been to Narnia with
Polly in The Magician’s Nephew.
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Edmund PevensieThe third of the children
Edmund is initially malicious
and selfish becoming a traitor
against his family. He learns
the error of his ways, is
redeemed through sacrifice
and sits in his place as King
Peter the Just.

Mrs. MacreadyProfessor Kirke’s
housekeeper.

AslanThe Great Lion and King of
Beasts he comes back to
Narnia to help the Pevensie
children defeat the White
Witch.
Mr. TumnusA Faun, he is the first
creature from Narnia that
Lucy meets and befriends.


MaugrimA wolf and chief of the
Witch’s Secret Police he is
defeated by Peter.
GrumpskinA dwarf who acts as the
Witch’s right hand man.
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Creatures of
Narnia
Faun – From Roman mythology, these creatures are place-spirits
of the untamed woods. They resemble humans from the waist up
(besides horns on their heads) and goats below. Mr. Tumnus is a
Faun.
Centaur – A race of half human half horse creatures from Greek mythology. Their
upper body is that of a man with a horse’s withers attached at the torso.
Nymph – A female spirit from Greek mythology associated with a
particular location or landform. They are often the target of Satyrs.
Dryad –From Greek mythology these are nymphs of oak trees who tend to be shy
creatures.
Satyr – Male companions of the Greek God Pan, they travel through the woods and
mountains. The looks much like Fauns but have human feet.
Ogre – A large humanoid monster from French folklore and fairy tales.
They have large heads, lots of hair and a huge body. It is said they feast
upon humans and are bad tempered.
Minotaur – Part man and part bull the Greeks
pictured them with the head and tail of a bull
and body of a man.
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Costuming
By Judy Ryerson and Juliane Starks
Through costumes the world of Narnia comes alive. Human actors are transformed into the magical
beasts that inhabit the fantastical world. Below you’ll find images from Judy and Juliane’s design
presentation. You’ll see costume sketches which were the basis for the final designs. When you
come to see the show look for the different animals and see how the costumes come alive from off
the page.
(Pictured from left to right this page: Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Mr. and Mrs. Bear)
(Next page: Mr. Tumnus, Maugrim, Centaur, Dryad)
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World War Two
In September 1939 World War Two began; the British government expected that the Germans
would bomb London and that causalities would be high. To reduce
the number of deaths they evacuated children, teachers, the disabled
and mothers of young children to the countryside. While the
evacuations were voluntary, many people took advantage of the
government’s assistance to move their children out of the cities.
Called Operation Pied Piper, the first evacuations took place on
September 1, 1939.
Almost 3.75 million people were displaced, with 3.5 of those being
moved in the first three days. Children would be assembled in
school playgrounds wearing name tags, holding onto gas masks and
a few belongings. The government recommended that children
bring the following with them:
Boys: 2 undershirts, 2 pair boxers, pair of trousers, 2 pair
socks, 6 handkerchiefs, pullover or jersey
Girls: Undershirt, pair of panties, 2 pair of stockings, 6
handkerchiefs, slip, blouse, cardigan.
Both: Overcoat, comb, 1 pair boots, towel,
soap, facecloth, toothbrush, shoes,
sandwiches, nuts, dry biscuits, apple
Children were issued special gas masks by the government that were different
from adult versions. These masks were called Mickey Mouse Masks. Once
gathered the children were taken by train or carriage to a destination in the
country. It was a frightening time as many did not know where they were
going or if they would be kept together with their family. Upon arrival in their
new town they were sent to the village hall where the met a billeting officer
(person in charge of finding homes). The host families would then choose
which children to take in with the sicklier children being left for last.
Those who stayed in the city found a new sound had entered their lives that of
the air raid siren. In the beginning of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe the
Pevensie children meet an Air Raid Precaution Warden at the train station.
Their main job was to patrol the streets
during blackouts (during the war everyone in London had to
keep all lights off or cover all windows and doors at night) to
make sure no light was seen. If any light was visible they would
yell “Put out that light!” or “Cover that window!”. No light
visible from the sky to made it harder for the Germans to find
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their bombing target. The Wardens also reported damage, assessed local medical needs, handed out
gas masks and gave people pre fabricated air raid shelters.
While Lucy is away in Narnia visiting with Mr. Tumnus, the rest of the Pevensie children are digging
to create their own air raid shelter. These shelters
were half buried in the ground with dirt on top of
them to help protect from falling bombs. They
were made from six corrugated iron sheets bolted
together with steel plates at either end, and
measured 6’6” x 4’6”. The shelters were damp and
dark and tended to flood so many people were
reluctant to use them. Many Londoners did not
have the extra money to spend on the shelters so
the government gave them for free to the poor.
Not only was money short, but so were supplies
and as such rationing was introduced.
When the Pevensie children arrive at Professor
Kirke’s home Mrs. Macready asks them for their
ration books. Everyone, man, woman or child was
given a book and then had to register with a grocery store. The grocery store was only given enough
food to provide for those people on their list. When someone bought
rationed food, the grocer would sign or put a sticker in the book to
show that his week’s rations had been purchased. Butter, sugar, bacon,
eggs, meat and tea were all rationed. Vegetables were not and citizens
were encouraged to replace flowers in their gardens with veggies;
posters told people to ‘Dig for Victory’. Clothes were rationed as well
to allow manufacturers more time and effort spent on war goods.
Rationing lasted for 15 years in Britain, not ending until midnight July 4,
1954 nine years after the end of the war.
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Glossary
Air Raids –
attack by aircraft, especially against a non- military targets such as cities
ataques militares hechos por los aviones contra las ciudades y la población general
Row –
/raʊ/ argument; quarrel; disagreement between two people
pelear; argumentar: un argumento entre dos personas o màs
Wireless –
a radio or radio set without wires
radio que no usa alambres; durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial era la manera
solamente de recibir noticias
Wardrobe –
a large free-standing cupboard or closet where clothes are stored
armario; lugar para colgar la ropa y los abrigos
Turkish Delight – type of very sweet Middle Eastern candy similar to gumdrops
Placer Turco; tipo de dulce muy dulce de Oriente Medio similares a pastillas de
goma
Marmalade – jam made with pieces of fresh citrus fruit
mermelada hecha de frutos cítricos frescos
Sluice Gate – gate across a stream that controls the flow of water
puerta para controlar el corriente de agua
Cordial –
a special drink with healing qualities
cordial; una bebida medicinal
Hag –
offensive term used to describe bad old women – essentially witches with
magical powers
bruja; una vieja malevolente con poderes mágicos
Boggle –
goblin; ghostly, awful
goblin; fantasmal; tremendo
Efreet –
mythical jinn spirits that embody fire; they resent humans and consider
themselves superior to them
espiritus ‘jinn’ que se sienten superiores a todos los seres humanos y tratan de
hacerles daño
Incubus –
a male demon
demonio masculine
Wraith –
ghost of a dead person
Duende
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Classroom Activities
Strangers
When Lucy enters the wardrobe she meets and befriends Mr. Tumnus who turns out to be a
trustworthy faun. However, when Edmund comes to Narnia he meets the White Witch who is up
to no good.
Step 1: Split into small groups. Each group will have 15 minutes to discuss and decide collectively
how to respond to different scenarios (see below). How do you interact or choose not to interact
with the stranger? What is the end result?
Step 2: Write a short skit to show your scenario to the group as a whole when you come together.
Make sure everyone has an assigned role. The skit should have a beginning, middle and end. Be
ready to explain why you chose to end it that way.
Scenario 1: Chat Room
You are in a chat room on the weekend when someone starts talking to you. His/her
screen name is unknown to you, but s/he seem friendly. S/he tells you s/he is a new student in
your English class and need some help and want to know if you can meet them at the library the
next night. What do you do?
Scenario 2: Help with Groceries
It’s late in the evening when you and a friend begin to walk home. You’re walking down a
quiet neighborhood street when you hear a loud thump. When you turn you see an older woman
struggling with her groceries. You both run over to help, but she wants you to carry them to her
house a few blocks away. What do you do?
Scenario 3: Stranger with Food
As you walk out of the mall around lunchtime you start to think about where to eat when
your mom picks you up. A person with a pizza delivery uniform approaches you. S/he tells you
that s/he’s opening up a new store and giving out free pizza to help them decide what toppings to
offer. The store is right around the corner and they ask you to follow. What do you do?
Edmund on Trial
Edmund has been marked a traitor
and the White Witch wants her
prisoner! Hold a mock trial and see if
he has to be turned over to her.
Assign roles to everyone including a
jury, judge, lawyers and witnesses.
Transported
Discuss in groups of 3 or 4 what
you would do if you were to
suddenly find yourself transported
to another place. Share with the
class your plan.