The Wardrobe Frame: Alternatives for Susan, Lucy, Peter and Edmund in Narnia

The Wardrobe in Narnia has always been a portal to adventure and magic. Susan, Lucy, Peter, and Edmund’s journey through this magical door is laden with wonder, transformation, and unforeseen consequences. What if they had not entered the wardrobe? This article will explore the potential outcomes and the ramifications of their not journeying into the world of Narnia.

Life at the Professor’s Residence

Without the magical portal, the four siblings would have remained under the guardianship of the kind and wise professor during the Blitz. For Peter and Susan, their days would likely have been filled with reading and learning from the professor’s extensive library. Peter, the eldest, would have engaged in serious pursuits such as history and science, while Susan, a natural reader, would have delved into literature, history, and philosophy. The professor’s environment would have provided a safe and intellectually stimulating environment for both siblings.

Lucy and Edmund, being younger, would have spent their days outdoors in the grounds of the professor’s house. Lucy, ever curious and imaginative, would have explored the secret corners and gardens, finding joy in nature and adventure. Edmund, with his mischievous tendencies, would have sought thrills in his exploration, perhaps getting into mild trouble along the way. Their days would be filled with outdoor activities, exercise, and forming close bonds with the professor and each other.

Consequences for Other Narnian Characters

Without the arrival of the Pevensie children, the fate of Narnia would have been dramatically different. Tumnus, the faun who befriended and saved Lucy, would have eventually fallen under the White Witch’s cruel grasp. He would have been eaten by wolves, never to be seen again, robbing Narnia of a crucial ally against the wintry oppressor. The White Witch, Jadis, would have ultimately prevailed, her reign of eternal winter would have continued unabated, and Narnia would have remained a desolate and frozen land.

Prince Caspian, awaiting the rightful rulers to help him reclaim his throne, would have been left without support. His efforts to gather the four kings and queens would have been in vain, as they were never destined to rule in Narnia. This lack of support would have complicated his mission, possibly leading to the fall of Narnia to the witch’s influence. Reepicheep, the valiant Mouse Knight, would have been without the united forces of Narnia, making his quest to sail to the end of the world more perilous and ultimately impossible.

Back in England

In England, life would have been quite different for the Pevensie children. They would have encountered some adults, but the atmosphere would have been far less engaging and filled with unexpected adventures. The end of the Blitz would have brought some semblance of normalcy, but the vibrancy and excitement of their Narnian experiences would have been sorely missed. They would have had to find new ways to entertain themselves, forming new games and traditions, but the opportunity for transformative journeys and magical friendships would have been absent.

The brothers and sisters would have grown up knowing a thread of their lives was somehow incomplete. The magical door they discovered would have remained just a curious legend or a student’s tale, lacking the personal veracity they experienced through their Narnian visit. They might have harbored a deep curiosity and longing for the world beyond their simple existence in England.

Less Exhilarating, but Potentially More Mundane

The outcome of this alternative reality would have resulted in a far less thrilling narrative. The absence of the Pevensie children’s presence and their transformative adventures would have made for a story that was much less engaging. Narnia’s resistance and rejuvenation would have been lacking a strong catalyst, and the characters’ growth and alliances would have been severely impacted. Reepicheep, for instance, would have been without a leader to follow, and the realm of Aslan would have been without the radiance of their presence.

Though this alternative world would not have lacked depth or character, the absence of the children’s impact on the story’s progression would have made it less captivating. The sense of wonder and magic that defined Narnia would have been significantly diminished, and the story would have felt more grounded in the mundane and less elevated to the archetypal adventure that C.S. Lewis created. The mysterious and enchanting world would have been reduced to a more straightforward narrative lacking its hallmark of excitement and discovery.

Conclusion

The magical door in Narnia is a gateway to endless possibilities and adventures. The immediate alternatives for Susan, Lucy, Peter, and Edmund without entering this door are exploring the professor’s library, spending time outdoors, and the tragic consequences for Narnia. Their absence would have left a significant void both literally and figuratively. The vibrant and transformative odyssey would have lost its spark, and Narnia would have remained a desolate and frozen land under Jadis’s dominion, becoming a story of disappointment instead of wonder.

The pure joy and transformation that the Pevensie children experienced in Narnia would be a dream unfulfilled, and their legacy in the annals of literature would have been much less colorful and inspirational. However, their alternative lives, though less adventurous, provide a glimpse into the value of the extraordinary journey that the Pevensies undertook. It is through adversity and the unknown that the enchantment and wonders of the world are truly realized.

Would you prefer a world filled with magic, enchantment, and adventure, or a more mundane, everyday existence? Let’s discuss the alternative realities and consider the significance of the unknown in our lives and literature.