The Magician's Nephew
C. S. Lewis
Digory Kirke's tests start as soon as he crosses the threshold. He and Polly find themselves in the dying world of Charn, where Digory makes the mistake of waking Jadis, the last Queen. She returns to London with the two children, where she proceeds to cause all kinds of chaos. Enemies are found in Jadis and Digory's Uncle Andrew, while allies are a cabman, his horse, and Polly.
Digory manages to get everyone out of London and into the new world of Narnia. Here his mentor shows up -- a bit late, but just when he's needed. Aslan sends Digory, Polly, and Fledge (the cab-horse-turned-pegasus) on a journey to a garden high in the mountains to help repair the damage Digory has done by bringing Jadis and her evil into the newborn world of Narnia. Though Digory doesn't know it, that journey is his Approach to the Inmost Cave.
When they reach the garden, Digory enters alone. This is his Ordeal. Aslan told him to pick one apple for Narnia, and an inscription on the garden gates warns only to take of its fruit for others. As long as Digory obeys, he will be fine. But he knows that the fruit could heal his dying mother back in England, and he struggles with the temptation to pick a second apple. At last he decides against it, and turns to take his Reward back to Narnia.
As he's leaving, Jadis finds him. She has eaten an apple, and tries to tempt Digory to do the same. When that doesn't work, she tries to convince him to take one for his mother. He almost does before he's able to see through her lies to what she really wants. He survives the Resurrection.
Digory, Polly, and Fledge make their way along the Road Back. At last they return to Narnia and Aslan uses the apple to protect the land against Jadis for hundreds of years to come. Just as the children are leaving he lets Digory take an apple with him to help his mother. Digory returns to London with this Elixir and brings his mother back from the brink of death.
All in all, a pretty successful journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment