Open Prompt #2 (10/14/12)

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1991. Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. 

     I chose to write about C.S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The setting plays an important role in the story, and highlights the similarities and differences between an English estate during World War Two, and the snow-clad world of Narnia.

     Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie are evacuated from London to avoid the Blitz, and are sent to Professor Kirk's mansion in the English countryside. The manor house is large and fairly uninhabited, home to himself, the children, and the staff. While the house offers a safe haven, it's expansive property and empty rooms are distinctly not child friendly. The children are left to amuse themselves so they explore the house - finding room upon room of dusty antiques and old furniture. Eventually all of the Pevensie children find their way into Narnia - magical world that can be found through a wardrobe. The majority of the story takes place in Narnia, which is being riled by an oppressive ice queen, who has enslaved the inhabitants (talking animals, fawns, centaurs, and spirits) and has cast the land into a state of permanent winter.

    Narnia serves as an extension of their reality, a way to deal with their problems that they can't solve in the real world. Although they can't do anything prevent WW2, in Narnia they are the only people who can bring an end to the oppression they face. In England the siblings fight and squabble, causing rifts in their relationship. In Narnia when Edmund betrays his siblings they seek him out, rescue him from the White Witch, and forgive him for his betrayal.

   These two places offer two extremes - the everyday life and the out-of-the-ordinary. In England the children evacuate London to escape the affects of WW2, but a war follows them through the wardrobe into Narnia. However, a dilemma of a distinctly different nature is taking place. There they face another kind of war. Another similar-but-different problem they face is separation from their family. In England the children must leave their mother, and in Narnia one of the children, Edmund, is tricked and captured by the White Witch. While coping with the loss of their brother they set out the rescue him and help put an end to the war. England serves as the ordinary "what is", while Narnia represents they fantasy of "what could be".

   While the story fluctuates between two diverse settings - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is tied together with one unwavering element - family. Regardless of whether the children are dealing with reality or fantasy, they stick together to cope with "what is" and "what could be".

RAN OUT OF TIME (has been edited since then) - 11/1/2012