In some ways, Narnia is an escape for Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter. However, they also quickly encounter problems in this new world and are caught up in a war, just as they are escaping another. How do Narnia’s conflicts reflect those in the real world? Consider these points as you reflect on the text to answer the question:

• How might the way that the children experience and confront Narnia’s problems help them in the real world?
• What symbols are used to make connections between Narnia and the real world?
• Why might C. S. Lewis have chosen to depict Narnia this way rather than as an escape from war?

Teaching Suggestion: Guiding students to think about how the children are still contending with real problems, even after being evacuated from London, will help them to better understand the themes The Journey to Adulthood and the symbols of the seasons and the lamppost.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“The Poetry of Narnia”

In this activity, students will write a poem about a character or key moment in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to explore the key themes further.