The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe question

Edmund is supposed to be a symbolic character that represents the mortal man. Every man commits sins, and every man has to be saved through a savior's sacrifice. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe acts as an allegorical reference to the Atonement from the New Testament of the Bible. In which Christ suffers for mankind in order for them to be saved, etc. Aslan is supposed to be a representation of Christ because he has to pay his life in order to free Edmund from the witch. Edmund made a human mistake, which all humans do at one point or another. But Aslan decides to give up his life in return for releasing Edmund of his sin of falling for the witch's enchantments.

Yes, it is rather silly to think Edmund would fall for Turkish Delight, but in the end, in application to today's living, everyone falls for silly tricks and temptations. Little lies and foolish acts of dishonesty, pride, or anger relates us to Edmund.

In the end I thought Edmund to be the most relatable character because he wasn't perfect, and neither is the reader, or the author. While Lucy was sweet, innocent, and steadfast and her oldest siblings were full of honor and simply couldn't make a wrong action, Edmund provided that flawed character that everyone could feel something towards. A lot of people would dislike Edmund because they remind him of their own imperfection, and their own faultiness and vulnerability to sin. But in the end, the fact that he's able to redeem himself and humble himself makes him a truly well developed character, in comparison to his static siblings.

Well, that's the point. Edmund is "a stupid idiot" and Aslan has to save him from death... all for wanting Turkish delight. So much like us! He most definitely deserves to be locked up or worse. But Aslan chooses to die in his place to pay the blood debt Edmund owes. I think Lewis has his finger on our fallen human condition.

Toni's point is absolutely true, and Elle, I really think you're missing the deeper meaning behind Edmund's betrayal. Of course no one in his right mind would put his siblings' lives in danger for Turkish Delight! That's exactly the point: Edmund wasn't in his right mind. It's crystal clear in the book, and Lewis even went so far as to write that the drink and Turkish Delight had played tricks on Edmund's mind.

Edmund messed up bad. He almost sold his siblings to a winter obsessed crazy woman, after all. However, He did redeem himself before any lasting harm was done. He changed. He and his siblings made up, and the White Witch's control over him eventually shattered. And all was right with the world.

In the next book of the series, The Horse and His Boy, Edmund says something that I think explains why I believe he is not a " stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity" but rather a stupid idiot, aka, a human.
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"Your Majesty would have a perfect right to strike off his head,"said Peridan. "Such an assault as he made puts him on a level with assassins."
"It is very true," said Edmund. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did."
And he looked very thoughtful.
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We all mess up bad, and I'm sure Edmund regretted what he ALMOST did until he went to Aslan's Country, but he mended his ways. He changed. :)

I never thought much of Edmund until I tried some Turkish Delights. Now I can kind of see where he was coming from.

Yum.

I will agree that Edmund made some stupid mistakes but as many here have already said, I would not cite turkish delight as his main motivation (although it was enchanted) He was a frightened boy who was tired of being overshadowed by his brother. What he did he did for power and recognition, which though still poor reasons for what he did, are much more believable motivations. And because of what Aslan does for him he grows to become a better person.
Many have already mentioned his growth throughout the rest of the series. It is apparent in all the other books he appears in that this experience and what he learns from it really define who he becomes as a character. It is because of that that Edmund is one of my favorite characters in the series.

Elle wrote: "Who absolutly loves aslan but thinks edmund is a stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity?

I do, who in there right mind would put there siblins lives in danger for some turkish delig..."
he changes in the other books read them and you'll not be so mad at him haha. I didn't like him either until I read the books after that. plus we ALL make mistakes.:)he just made a mistake but Aslan STILL died for him. i think it portrays Christs love for us.

I like Aslan but I don't hate Edmund. He was in a bad position and it's understandable to put your trust in the wrong person. When you read the next books, you understand more about Edmund and why he did what he did.

I would never use the word cute to describe Aslan.

Yeah there is a deeper meaning than a boy who that likes Turkish Delight. He was thinking of himself and what the Witch offered instead of the fact that he was in dangering his siblings. He was fooled. Humans tend to given in to temptations without thinking about the consequences. Edmund was no different. Thnakfully Aslan was willing to give his life for him, he loved Edmund despite the mistake he made. A lesson learned.

I believe that Edmund is a metaphor for being tempted by the devil, much like Adam and Eve.
Then Aslan is a metaphor much like God and Jesus with forgiveness and always being there.

I love this thread.

I find this title of this discussion funny !! :D

Every story ever written will raise doubt in the readers mind about a character. It is that character that usually stirs emotions in the readers mind. Without a problem or two there wouldn't be much of a story. In today's world Edmund wouldn't be much different from a teenager lured into drugs. With his mind compromised his actions are not that far fetched. Without the occasional good kid gone bad and then ultimately finding his way, many faced with darkness would lose all hope. In my opinion Edmund's role is crucial to the story and this book has many meanings beyond entertainment....

Hey, to make matters worse, Edmund wasn't JUST endangering the lives of his siblings. He put all of Narnia at risk of perpetual winter and eternal reign of Jadis, the evil witch. Lucky for everyone, Aslan not only saved Edmund, who was completely undeserving, but all of Narnia! Can we hope for as much when we look in the mirror and see all that we've done and all the pain we've left for others in our wakes? What have we to hope for in life if all we have is a repetition of our own Edmund-like choices, and nothing more?

But who I really wanted to point out was Eustace Clarence Scrubb. If there's a character to hate in Narnia it's him. Yet (spoilers) I love him too because he is saved and changed by Aslan. Don't stop at the Wardrobe. Besides the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I think the most important Narnia books you can read are The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Last Battle.

Aslan really is the best, isn't he? Why do you love Aslan?

What a totally immature and ridiculous comment Lorna. Sorry but really you need to grow up.

oh!!oh!me!me!me!;)

Elle wrote: "Who absolutly loves aslan but thinks edmund is a stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity?

I do, who in there right mind would put there siblins lives in danger for some turkish delig..."

Say no to Drugs. Particularly is they are in the form of yummy Turkish Delights.

Edmund was a kid. He had some issues and insecurities. You cannot blame him.

Excuse me!!!! Edmund is not an idiot! I need to defend him here! Who was the one to believe in Lucy in Prince Caspian when no one believed she saw Aslan? Hmmmmm? We all make mistakes and at least he learned a lesson and acutally stuck with his little sister, unlike any of the others! He is a good guy!!!!! I think his heart is in the right place. He was a little kid at the time, give him a break. I do agree however that Aslan is the best. He is amazing. He is a great example and mentor.

No, Edmund is all of us. He represents the human condition: sin. You scoff at how stupid Edmund could be for all of that, but you do it every day. Edmund was blind and selfish in a MOMENT and that is something we've all been time and time again. Not to mention he had no idea how sever the consequences of his actions would be, he didn't stop to think. Yet Aslan loved him so much he was willing to die (despite not having done anything wrong) so that Edmund could live. He forgave Edmund and then some. Aslan is THE savior and Edmund is just a human like the rest of us.

The best part for me is watching the wonderful young man (albiet not perfect) Edmund turns into as a RESULT of Aslan's love and sacrifice. Edmund is never perfect, but he is always improving, which is really a remarkable thing. It's more than some of us can say.

This is a very interesting discussion topic, because I don't think a lot of people realize that we are all Edmund. We have all done stupid, selfish and hurtful things to other people and ourselves. Yet, we are all redeemed!

Aslan can go **** ******* **** because he is a ******** who *** and is so ****** like a ******

I love Aslan, but I don't think Edmund should be locked up. Like all humans, he commits sins and makes mistakes, but he is truly sorry for his betrayal in the end.

Edmund was suffering from the "little brother syndrome" and needed to feel more like a man. He ended up making a mistake or two, as all humans do.

Edmund is supposed to be a character that learns through the course of the book. Although he does some very stupid things, he learns from his mistakes and becomes a better, more mature person. That's why he's my favorite- he's probably one of the most developed characters in the book. He is very representative of how everyone is prone to make stupid mistakes and bad choices.

I absolutely love Aslan because he teaches that people like edmund is worthy of forgiveness.

Edmund is a greedy, idiotic and stupid boy how could he betray his love ones over a sweet 😤😤😤😤

Elle wrote: "Who absolutly loves aslan but thinks edmund is a stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity?

I do, who in there right mind would put there siblins lives in danger for some turkish delig..."
omg I so agree besides Aslan is the best

I agree Edmund is very stupid, I love Aslon very much.

I'm soooo disturbed by this question on so many levels. It's not at all as silly as it first seems.

Do I love Aslan - really love him? Why do I hesitate to say yes?

And still, why do I indeed despise Edmund, even though I can understand him as well? Is it myself and my own failings I see and despise in him the most?

Yeah, Edmund makes it so hard to rewatch the movie because of how aggravating it is to see Edmund fall b/c of a simple treat. I can see the point that he wasn't thinking clearly, but still... What about rule #1? Never accept food from strangers.

I love Edmund. He was tempted by evil and almost gave in, but didn't. It's never too late to do the right thing.

Elle wrote: "Who absolutly loves aslan but thinks edmund is a stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity?

I do, who in there right mind would put there siblins lives in danger for some turkish delig..."
i do

I absolutlely LOVE Aslan but sometimes I can see myself in Edmund. I mean (i have 5 siblings) and sometimes I get so mad at them that I would like to sell them or something, so I can see how Edmund might feel. Think abt this: your siblings (all of them) gang up on you to tell you that you are wrong. After this a nice lady gives you some candy and hot chocolate but asks for your siblings in return. What do you do? Keep in mind they all were mean to you before....

You've never lived in a situation where food is rationed, have you, Lorna? It was a much greater temptation to Edmund than it would be to us, who can get chocolate any time. And she was being nice to him, and his brother and sisters were being mean, as Maari said.

i agree

I agree with you for the most part.

I thought Eustace was a brat when he was first introduced, but like Edmund, he matured as well.

Susan... on the other hand...

The whole story is an allegory for the Biblical fall of man in Genesis. Adam was being a little (ok a lot) idiotic when he ignored all the wonderful garden that provided for his every need and went for the ONE he wasn't supposed to eat. He was deceived, but he also thought he was good enough to make his own choices. Yes he should be institutionalized for being such an idiot. But that's where God (Aslan symbolizes Him) comes in. Innocent and powerful, He took the penalty that the sinner deserved, just like Aslan took Edmund's punishment. Cuz that's how the King rolls.

Don't know if you were looking for a theology lesson but that's where Lewis (a Christian) was going with it.

Edmund is very human; I liked him. It was a very nice metaphor that applies to everyone. We are tempted by offers in life that lead us into bondage and dull our tastes to that which is wholesome. It certainly would have been better for him to refuse the offer but he had not yet learned his lessons in life.

I think we hate what Edmund did - but - there's Edmund in all of us. I think he represents our selfish nature. Aren't we all guilty of wanting to serve ourselves even when it costs those we love?

Edmund represents all of us who make stupid mistakes all the time! Like some have said, the White Witch tricked him when he was at his weakest. He was cold, hungry and yes, just a young boy who was tired of being in the shadow of his brother. If you were promised what Edmund was promised by this friendly, beautiful lady offering sweats, you might be tempted too.

I think Edmund is one of the few balanced characters in the book - unlike Aslan, who's 'perfect', blindly followed and therefore immensely irritating. I'd sooner trust Edmund than Aslan, that's for sure.

Actually I think that Edmund (as well as Jill and Diggory) is one of the best structured, round characters in the series.
I can understand his feelings more than the complete faith of Lucy or the total braveness of Peter.

I love Aslan. But Edmund was just a kid. Besides, he didn't know he was with the witch. He just thought she was a really nice person who kept him warm and gave him Turkish Delight.

Edmund acted exactly how we as christians act daily. A temptation is placed in front of us and we forsake all that Christ did for a moments pleasure.

whoa i just saw this topic title and knew i had to jump in.

so you know Edmund represents fallen mankind, riiiiight?? and u know that if you say that "edmund is a stupid idiot who should be locked up for his insanity" u are basically saying that we should all are "stupid idiots who should be locked up for his insanity" riiiiiight??

I think that what Edmond did was stupid, not that HE is stupid. It was only his actions. Plus, like Alishah said, he was only a kid. He didn't know any better.

Edmund was also a little boy whose father had gone off to war. Peter had taken on the fatherly role in the family, and because he was a kid himself too he didn't do a great job of it. The witch made hm feel important, he would be king with his elder brother a mere courtier, a subject. She offered Edmund power at a time when he felt very powerless. And as a poster above said, he was bewitched by the food and drink she tempted him with.
As the story develops and Edmund sees the witch for what she is, he suspects she intends to harm his family, and he regrets it. He repents of his sin, and so Aslan, the god of the story, forgives him and dies for his sins.
That aside, I don't completely adore Aslan. I think what he does to Susan in The Last Battle is pretty harsh.
There is a very good Neil Gaiman short story called The Problem Of Susan. Over 18s who can handle very dark fiction should check it out.