The Chronicles of Narnia: Analysis of Major Characters

Author: Clive Staples Lewis

First published: 1950–56

Genre: Novel

Locale: England; Narnia; Calormen; Archenland; Wild Lands of the North

Plot: Fantasy

Time: First half of the twentieth century

Aslan, a lion-shaped deity who creates Narnia. He is majestic and purely good, and when others gaze upon him, most are overcome with reverence, although evil people sometimes react with hatred. He appears in times of trouble, but as he is a deity and tends to many worlds, he also disappears for long stretches of time (especially peaceful ages). His goodness does not mean he is a tame lion—instead, he maintains his wild qualities and is a formidable and dangerous opponent in battle. He comes from a land often called Aslan's Country and is the son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. He becomes close with several human children, especially Lucy Pevensie, and is able to transport them between one world and another. His breath can heal and even infuse others with life, and his singing can create an entire world. When others lose faith in him, he becomes invisible to them.

Jadis, “the White Witch”, an exceptional sorceress with evil intentions. Under her rule, Narnia enters a period of endless winter with no Christmas. When she eats a magical apple, she attains immortality and her skin becomes a brilliant, unnatural white color. She is seven feet tall and incredibly strong. Born into the royal family in Charn before the creation of Narnia, she destroys all life on her home planet in the course of a power struggle and puts herself into a deep sleep. When she is finally awakened and makes her way to Narnia, she claims to be a human instead and declares that Aslan has authorized her rule, although this is not true. She considers herself the most powerful ruler in all the worlds, and her arrogance puts her into direct conflict with Aslan, who eventually defeats her. Her wand is the source of much of her power, and during her reign, she uses it to turn enemies into stone, filling her castle with their frozen forms.

Peter Pevensie, a boy from Earth who first enters Narnia at the age of thirteen, then goes on to become its high king. He spends long periods of his life in Narnia, then returns to his home world to find he has not aged and barely a moment has passed. He displays the qualities of a ruler from a young age and takes great care to guide and protect his three younger siblings, who often enter Narnia with him. He is the first to carry the sword Rhindon, which he receives from Father Christmas. He is integral to the defeat of the White Witch, after which he ends the Long Winter and becomes lord of Cair Paravel. When Narnia is in danger, he is occasionally summoned again by Aslan to battle for good. Although flawed and capable of making mistakes, he is a just and kind friend and ruler.

Susan Pevensie, the older Pevensie sister and a queen of Narnia. She first enters Narnia when she is twelve. Although she hears of the land from her younger sister, Lucy, she refuses to believe in its existence until she sees it for herself. During the long struggle with the White Witch, Susan at first stays away from the battlefield, but her skill as an archer eventually makes her a formidable warrior. She has a gentle, sweet nature, which causes many Narnians to feel instant affection for her. Her strong reliance on logic, however, also makes her somewhat difficult to interact with, as she resists any idea that does not seem to make sense in her perception of the world. Although she is one of the legendary rulers of Narnia, as she grows up on Earth, she decides that her time there was only a fantasy. When her siblings return to Narnia forever, she is left behind because of her lack of faith in Aslan and instead lives a frivolous life in her home world.

Lucy Pevensie, the youngest Pevensie child and the favorite of Aslan. She has a playful and curious nature, the result of which is that she is the first of her siblings to discover Narnia, which she does at the age of eight. She also regularly sees Aslan before her siblings are able. Her faith in what is right allows her to approach dangerous situations and to fight for good when others are fearful, and she receives great satisfaction from helping others. Her love of animals also makes her a natural fit for Narnia, where she forms close bonds with talking animals. Even after becoming a queen, she maintains the tomboy qualities of her youth and does not mind getting dirty or engaging in playfully rough activities. Father Christmas gives her a cordial that allows her to heal the injured. She is named Queen Lucy the Valiant by Aslan and lives for eternity in the real Narnia.

Edmund Pevensie, the third Pevensie child and sometime ruler of Narnia. In his youth, Edmund is jealous and often ill-tempered, teasing his sister Lucy and caring primarily about his own self-interest. Through his experience with Aslan, however, he comes to be a fair and generous ruler, becoming known as King Edmund the Just. On one of his early trips to Narnia, he is tricked by the White Witch, promising to bring his siblings to her in exchange for power and even betraying Aslan at one point. These failures of conscience haunt him in later life and help fuel his drive to do right by others. Although as a ruler he often obeys his older brother, Peter, he also demonstrates his own wisdom and at times offers the most mature and well-considered advice. He and Lucy develop a particularly close bond, and he is often the first to believe her claims.

Prince Caspian, a prince and later king of Narnia. In his youth, Caspian daydreams often of fantastic adventures and magical creatures, although he lives during a time when false rulers keep the true nature of Narnia hidden. By adulthood, however, he comes to live out his fantasies, helping restore Narnia and maturing into a powerful ruler and adventurer. He is a strong and handsome man with light hair. The rightful heir of Narnia, his father was murdered when he was young, and it is his faith in Aslan that helps him claim the throne. He is incredibly rational, a quality that makes him a great ruler while maintaining humility when first approaching his fate. After his death, he is revived by Aslan and lives in Aslan's country, where he finally meets his father again.

Eustace Scrubb, a cousin of the Pevensie children who enters Narnia. An unpleasant and unfriendly child who constantly annoys his cousins, he rises to the challenges he faces in Narnia (especially aboard the Dawn Treader and in rescuing Prince Rilian) and becomes a fair, courageous hero over time. He is also initially overdramatic, tending to view situations as much worse than they actually are. This is in large part due to the influence of his parents, who raised him with strict rules and always kept his window open. He eventually finds eternal life in Aslan's Country with the Pevensie children.

Jill Pole, a close friend of Eustace who enters Narnia. Like Eustace, she is unpopular and constantly bullied at school. Once in Narnia and on her quest to save Prince Rilian, she develops her skills at tracking and using a bow and arrow, and the confidence she gains leads her to a much better life back in her home world. The adventures she finds in Narnia are exciting for someone of her curious and courageous personality, and when Narnia comes to end, she joins Aslan in the real Narnia.

Digory Kirke, a boy from London who sees the creation of Narnia. With the aid of a magic ring created by his uncle, Digory inadvertently stumbles into a magical world, awakens Jadis, and plants the seed that allows the magic wardrobe to Narnia to be created. When the Pevensie children come to visit Digory (then known as Professor Kirke) many years later, he urges the young adventurers to both trust in logic and believe in Narnia. He is brave and quick to act in dangerous situations, although his curious nature and lack of magical knowledge cause him to make several significant errors in judgment. He joins the other humans in Aslan's Country after the end of Narnia.

Polly Plummer, Digory's friend who travels to other worlds with him by way of a magic ring when she is eleven. Though as brave as Digory, she is less curious and more cautious; however, she also trusts Digory and follows him into unlikely situations. Because of this, she is present to witness Narnia's creation; she then maintains a connection to Narnia throughout her life.

Prince Rilian, Caspian's only son; a kind, strong, and attractive person. Rilian's life takes a radical turn when his mother is killed by a giant serpent when he is only twelve. Fixated on avenging his mother's death, he encounters the Lady of the Green Kirtle, who enchants and imprisons him. Under her spell, he loses his natural intelligence and bravery and instead worships her endlessly. He is saved by Eustace and Jill.

Lady of the Green Kirtle, an evil witch who attempts to take over Narnia. She has an army of gnomes and an enchanted knight to assist her. She is as gorgeous as she is evil and can transform into a giant serpent. She captures Prince Rilian as part of her plot and keeps him under an enchantment for a decade. Her magic is enhanced by a magical silver chair and a stringed musical instrument that can put people to sleep when played.

Shasta, the prince and heir-elect of Archenland whose real name is Cor. A prophecy from his birth states that he will save Archenland from a great evil, leading enemies of Archenland to kidnap him in his infancy to prevent this from coming to pass. He is then found and raised by a fisherman in Calormen. Upon learning that his adoptive father plans to sell him as a slave, he runs away, aided by a talking horse who is also escaping a cruel master. After learning of a Calormene plot to attack Archenland and Narnia, he goes to great risk to warn the two countries of the coming invasion, showing his bravery and determination. He then learns of his true identity and his twin Corin and rises to power, becoming a well-loved ruler.

Aravis Tarkheena, a member of the ruling elite of Calormen and the eventual wife of Prince Cor. She is self-confident and determined, qualities that serve her well when she flees her home in order to avoid an arranged marriage with a man she does not like, but that she sometimes takes too far. She has dark, beautiful skin and hair and is able to tell enchanting stories. She joins Shasta on his quest to save Narnia and Archenland, learning in the process to be less headstrong and arrogant.

Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah “Bree,” a talking horse. Born a free creature in Narnia, he is captured by the Calormenes and put into service as a warhorse. Because the creatures in Calormen cannot talk, he considers himself t o be superior to all others, although this is also a mask for his deep insecurities. He is terribly afraid of lions.

Andrew Ketterley, an amateur magician living in London around 1900. He has a strong desire for the power and respect he believes will come along with magical skills. As a result, he often betrays those he loves and behaves with extreme selfishness in his pursuit of new knowledge. He is one of the first humans to see Narnia.

King Miraz, a usurper who seizes power over Narnia. He deceives everyone in order to steal the throne and even murders his brother. The longer he is in power, the greater his arrogance becomes. He banishes the magical creatures known as Old Narnians, attempts to kill Prince Caspian, and is eventually defeated by the forces of good.

Trumpkin, a red dwarf who assists Prince Caspian and introduces him to many Old Narnians. Although he doubts the existence of Aslan and the Pevensies, he assists in the quest to find them because he believes it is his duty to serve the wishes of the true king. He is as stubborn as he is loyal.

Tumnus, a male faun. He has a short beard, the upper torso of a human, and goat legs. Although at first he serves Jadis, he comes to ally himself with the Pevensie children and Aslan.

Mr. Beaver, a steadfast believer in Aslan during the reign of the White Witch. He kindly welcomes the Pevensies into the home he built into his dam and assists them in their quest.

Mrs. Beaver, the wife of Mr. Beaver and a loyal follower of Aslan. Her motherly nature extends itself to the human children, and she goes out of her way to care for their comfort and safety.

Puddleglum, a dour marsh-wiggle. One of a race of human-like creatures who live in marshes, he is tall with green skin. Although he expects the worst in any scenario, he ends up assisting Eustace and Jill on their quest for Rilian.

Reepicheep, a talking mouse and knight in Caspian's service. His bravery in the direst of circumstances and his loyalty to Aslan make him an invaluable ally in the Narnian Revolution.

Shift, an ugly talking ape and con artist who betrays all of Narnia and Aslan himself in order to increase his riches and control more of the world.

Puzzle, a talking donkey who is deceived by Shift. Although he sincerely wishes to be a good animal, he is easily tricked and ends up impersonating Aslan to help Shift. In the end, Aslan forgives Puzzle and welcomes him into the real Narnia.

Tash, the many-armed avian god of Calormen, who is cruel and only serves the powerful.

Emperor-beyond-the-Sea, the father of Aslan, the ruler of all worlds who is responsible for the oldest magic.

King Tirian, the last king of Narnia and a descendant of Caspian.

Glenstorm, an Old Narnian centaur who is a prophet, a warrior, and one of Caspian's earliest supporters in his effort to retake the throne.

Hwin, a talking horse captured by Calormenes who becomes a good friend of Aravis.