The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Theme of Courage

Courage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is not a feeling but a way that you behave. Although you might feel despairing, frightened, or sick, you can still behave bravely. Bravery is one of the most valuable virtues. It cannot be learned, but good people will find that they have unknown reserves of strength in difficult moments. Courage may mean the ability to face certain defeat, pain, suffering, or even death with patience and fortitude. There is such a thing as foolhardiness; it is possible that bravery can be misplaced in certain circumstances. The courage of a child to stand up to a nightmarish fear might be just as valuable in this book as the brave deeds of a great warrior.

1. How does Lucy's courage manifest when she comes into contact with her siblings?
2. What feelings does Peter experience while he is behaving courageously? For example, how does he feel when he defends Susan from Fenris Ulf? Based on your answer, what does this book suggest about the nature of courage?
3. How does Aslan show courage through patience and passivity?
4. Why isn't Lucy supposed to fight in the battle, even though she says she feels like she could be brave enough?

Feeling courageous is unimportant in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; the important thing is to behave courageously no matter how you feel.

Aslan defies everyone's expectations of courageous behavior by showing bravery and fortitude in the face of certain death, rather than simply killing the Witch immediately.