The Novel C.S. Lewis' text conveys the White Witch as the evil and demonic opposition to Aslan and the side of justice and peace. She does everything in her power to prevent the world of Narnia from ever achieving true happiness.This is firstly present in her manipulation of Edmund by tempting him with Turkish Delight. She uses him in order to obtain information about his family, to which he willingly consents. In this way, Edmund can be portrayed as the Biblical figure of Judas in the novel. Secondly, she opposes Aslan while still remaining true to the prophecy and law of Narnia. This is conveyed when she demands Edmund's death from Aslan as it states that every traitor belongs to her. She thrives off the suffering of others and plans to kill the Pevensie children in order to maintain her wintery domination over Narnia and its inhabitants. She is also considered demonic in the war she wages against the side of good. In this section, her motives to kill the light and peace in Narnia is unveiled. She is willing to kill all in her path in order to achieve true power over the land. This is conveyed as she fights Peter and Edmund and nearly kills them in battle. Finally, she is also conveyed as the Devil-figure through her inevitable fall as Aslan triumphs over her. Similarly in Christianity, Jesus dies to save all from sin which diminishes Satan's power. As well, Jesus endures a battle of manipulation in which the Devil tries to seduce him, but he drives him off. Lewis's argument that God is good is articulated in James M. Petrik's argument about the concept that God challenges us to be better human beings like Christ. He conveys God's ultimate love despite the presence of evil in the world, "a key component in Lewis' attempt to reconcile God's goodness with the existence of suffering is found in his contention than an individual's love for another is consistent with allowing the other to endure suffering that one has the ability to alleviate" (48). There will consistently be evil in the world however; it is up to the children in Lewis' novel and Aslan to defeat the evil in Narnia. Thus, the White Witch is portrayed as the Devil-figure in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
|
The Film Disney's interpretation of the White Witch emphasizes her demonic nature from a Christian perspective. In the film, she is conveyed as manipulative and demonic as well. Firstly, her manipulation of Edmund is portrayed as more severe in the film rather than in the movie. She threatens and abuses him consistently to obtain information rather than letting him discuss the situation on his own as portrayed in the novel. In most situations, Edmund provides her with information in order to show compassion towards others or to save himself from her wrath. Secondly, when she brings up the subject of his treachery to Aslan she is presented as the one with the ultimate power as she demands his death. Afterwards, when questioning Aslan's loyalty to uphold his end of the bargain, he roars to the point of instilling a mild sense of fear as she immediately sits back down. Thus, the emphasis of the power of good over evil is presented throughout the film as well. Finally, the war she commands causes her imminent downfall in the film as well. Her army alone is filled with monsters such as cyclops and minotaurs rather than wildlife animals and fantasy creatures such as cheetahs and centaurs. She actively attempts to kill the two boys in this scene as well and wounds Edmund. However, upon the resurrection of Aslan, she is instantly overpowered and taken down. This portrays the ultimate power of Jesus conveyed in Christianity as he defeats Satan in the Bible through death and resurrection. James M. Petrik suggests that "some people who do not suffer seem far from God while others seem close to him" (52). This indicates that Aslan and the children on the side of good undergo more challenges and obstacles than the White Witch does. She appears to be in the lead throughout the film however, by the end it is ultimately the side of justice and morality that wins over all. Thus, the White Witch is illustrated as the Devil-figure in Disney's film adaptation of Narnia.
|
References
Good Triumphs Over Evil |
An Article on MoralityPetrik, James M. "In Defense of C.S. Lewis's Analysis of God's Goodness". International Journal for Philosophy and Religion, Vol. 36, No.
1 (1994): 45-56. Web. August 1994. |
The White Witch as the Devil |