The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Hello everyone! It’s that time again, and I have another “Book vs. Movie” in store for you. The one I want to discuss today is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (1950) from the series The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. As I was growing up, I was never introduced to these books. As an adult, I thought it was about time for me to read the book and watch the film (2005). Watch the trailer here!
The Plot
As World War II rages, and bombs threaten London, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie are sent to the countryside for safety. Shortly after arriving at their new home, they begin exploring. The youngest, Lucy, stumbles upon a massive wardrobe and steps through it into the magical land of Narnia, where talking animals and mystical creatures live. At first, her siblings do not believe her, but soon, they all find themselves in Narnia, caught in a fight for their lives.
Did you know that A Grade Ahead starts teaching English concepts like plot as early as 2nd Grade? Take a free assessment to get started today!
Setting
Both the fantasy novel and the film illustrate the juxtaposition between the real world and Narnia. The Pevensie children come from war-torn England, which is grounded in reality and hardship. In contrast, Narnia is a magical realm filled with talking animals, mythical creatures, and an ongoing battle between good and evil. Despite these differences, both worlds examine conflict and bravery, as the children must face challenges in both settings.
A Grade Ahead understands the importance of teaching students about literary elements such as setting. That’s why we teach it in our enrichment classes, such as our 3rd grade English program!
Themes
It turns out that C.S. Lewis’s novel and film both capture the enchanting and allegorical tale of Narnia, but they also differ in key ways. The focus of the book relies heavily on the theme of good vs. evil, which is especially apparent when examining the characters of Aslan and the White Witch, who bear a stark contrast in morality.
The themes of redemption sacrifice are explored through the characters of Aslan and Edmund. Aslan willingly gives his life to save Edmund, which reflects the idea of redemption. Edmund, on the other hand, is saved by Aslan’s sacrifice, emphasizing the contrast between his past mistakes and his eventual willingness to fight for the sake of good.
In the case of the film, it does stay true to these themes. However, it expands on action sequences, particularly the final battle, making it visually appealing to the audience.
A Grade Ahead loves to study themes and more in our 6th Grade English curriculum!
Mood and Tone
The film is visually stunning and brings Narnia’s magical elements to life, but the tone is altered slightly. The book is whimsical with a fairy-tale-like narration, while the movie leans into fantasy, making it feel darker at times and more intense. Although some details from the book are either altered or omitted, the core of the story remains intact.
Does your child enjoy analyzing on a deeper level? Do you want them to understand the difference between mood and tone? A Grade Ahead’s curriculum for older students, like our 7th grade English program, explores both of these topics and more!
Conclusion
What do you think? Have you read or watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? Do you prefer the book or the movie? Let us know which book-turned-movie we should explore next in the comments!
Looking for more? Call or visit one of our academies nationwide to learn about what we can offer you, such as our enrichment camps! Why wait to start your child’s educational adventure?
Author: Pamela Crum, Teacher Coordinator at A Grade Ahead
