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The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Study Guide

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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

Introduction

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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Play Synopsis

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.

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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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The White Witch-

The self proclaimed ‘Queen of Narnia’ she places the land

in a permanent winter. Legend has it that four

human children will defeat her.

Aslan-

The Great Lion and King of Beasts he comes back to

Narnia to help the Pevensie children defeat the White

Witch.

Mrs. Macready- Professor Kirke’s

housekeeper.

Lucy Pevensie-

The 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.

Susan Pevensie-

The second oldest of the children Susan is sweet and

kind. She is known as Queen Susan the Gentle.

Professor Digory Kirke-

The 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.

Edmund Pevensie-

The 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.

Peter Pevensie-

The oldest of the children Peter is noble and

courageous. He is crowned High King of Narnia and is

known as King Peter the Magnificent.

Characters

Mr. Tumnus-

A Faun, he is the first creature from Narnia that Lucy meets and befriends.

Mr. and Mrs. Beaver-

Friends of Mr. Tumnus this husband and wife guide the

Pevensie children to the Stone Table and Aslan.

Maugrim-

A wolf and chief of the Witch’s Secret Police he is

defeated by Peter.

Grumpskin-

A 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.