The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: Chapter 2

Scout · #1 Nov 11, '05, 4:04 pm

In Chapter 2 Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus. She soon discovers that Mr. Tumnus works for the White Witch and his intention is to kidnap Lucy and turn her over to the White Witch.

Discuss: Given the current state of things in Narnia, how do you think Mr. Tumnus came to be in service to the White Witch? What do you think his motivations were for working with her? How do you think Lucy "won him over"?

Scout

Jim95437 · #2 Nov 11, '05, 8:38 pm

It could be that toast is Mr. tumnus' favorite food and that the White Witch tempted him with it to win him into her service. His motivations for working for her are to keep his hoves cloven and his horns and tail from being cut off. Lucy won him over by telling him that he really was a good faun a got to know him.

susie g. · #3 Nov 12, '05, 11:58 am

I think Tumnus' motivation is fear of being killed by the White Witch. He's good at heart, but afraid of not obeying the evil queen. Lucy wins him over because she has "humanized" -- literally and figuratively-- the daughters of Eve and Sons of Adam. It's easy to agree to betraying a perceived enemy that you've never met. Once he spent some time with her, he liked her very much, and didn't want to betray her.

**Church Militant** · #4 Nov 12, '05, 12:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

In Chapter 2 Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus. She soon discovers that Mr. Tumnus works for the White Witch and his intention is to kidnap Lucy and turn her over to the White Witch.

Discuss: Given the current state of things in Narnia, how do you think Mr. Tumnus came to be in service to the White Witch? What do you think his motivations were for working with her? How do you think Lucy "won him over"?

Granted that Tumnus does seem to have a propensity for toast, I don't really think that's the way the White Witch got to him, as his service seems to be more from fear than from any addiction.

Tumnus does seem to have a well formed conscience and I think that it is that and Lucy's innocence as well as her display of compassion and charity that wins him over. He seems to come from something of noble line and that may also have played a part in his decision to protect her and assist in her escape. Tumnus' deep and true contrition as well as repentance and confession are very Catholic concepts. The events that follow as he assists Lucy to escape can be seen as his reparation I think.

His description of the White Witch as the one who makes it "always winter but never Christmas" is curious and perhaps this is Lewis' way of bringing home to his godchild the lack of abundant life without Christ.

Pax vobiscum,

asquared · #5 Nov 12, '05, 12:34 pm

I can't really enjoy the discussion since I have read the book so many times over the years, but glad a whole new generation of readers is coming on board.

mvinca · #6 Nov 12, '05, 5:03 pm

In addition to what has already been said, I think that Mr. Tumnus might have always been interested in this mythical creature of Man. I say this based on the types of books that were in his place. Maybe this is why the White Witch decided to (probably forcibly) employ him. To meet a daughter of Eve probably filled his heart with joy.

Of course, maybe she employed him first and then he started research later. But I think this is less likely because he doesn't seem to be too happy to be in the White Witch's employ.

Elizabeth2 · #7 Nov 12, '05, 5:16 pm

I think Mr Tumnus is afraid of the White Witch, after all he's seen what terrible power she possesses to keep the land always in winter, cheerless and dismal, with no celebration and joy. Fear seems to be his only motivation, and so he plans to act against his better nature. I guess fear is one of the motivations for a lot of evil in the world. Lucy awakens his conscience by her own goodness and kindness. He now realizes what a terrible thing he has planned to do, and he's sorry. Lucy shows a true Christian attitude by forgiving him absolutely, even to the point of hoping that no evil will befall him because of her. Yet she doesn't minimize his behaviour. ("for she wanted to be truthful"). What a delightful child she is!
I grew up in England in the fifties and as a child and teenager loved to read. I'm surprised that I never heard of this book then, even after reading the space trilogy. But Lewis is right when he says to his Goddaughter. " Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again" I am and find the classic children's stories very enjoyable today.

Barbara Ann · #8 Nov 12, '05, 7:24 pm

The White Witch has created a world of perpetual winter without Christmas. In other words a world without Christ and salvation. Without Christ Mr. Tunmus must follow his baser instincts.

For an interesting article on C. S. Lewis's use of myth go to this site

http://www.sonic.net/mary/DejaLew-di.../kla-myth1.htm

Lanasshoebox · #9 Nov 14, '05, 7:48 am

In chapter two we find that there is great intentions to do what is right and not be hurt. Mr. Tumnus is overwhelmed with grief when he follows through with the orriginal plans to capture her. Latter thinking it through, he is again overwhelmed with the knowlege of folly on his hands at hurting someone so dear and kind. He knew it was wrong, was very tempted to take the easy road, but it was wrong.

Lucy was very honest in her handeling of the situation reminding him that it was simply wrong, and he was not to do it. He then was reafirmed in rightness, and allowed her the freedom of returning home.

the lack of abundant life without Christ can make uslong fo what is right, but we also have a very hard time of it if we try to do it alone. We need a fellowship, friends, loved ones....we need a higher power. The most was achieved in getting to know Lucy, but the greater was the strength to do the right thing once placed infront of him...but with truth on his side.

Can we see the need to never turn back, once we know the truth personally. Not in words, or tales, but in person. The truth knowlege in your heart when discovering god can be often an inlightened "no turning back" feeling. Listen to C.S. Lewis describe this in fauns character:

Lucy says, "I am very sorry Mr Tumnus, but please let me go home!

Mr. Tumnus answers her, "Of course i will, of course i've got to. I see that now.I hadn't known what Humans were like before i met you. Of course i can not give you up to the Witch, not now that i know you."

My children agreedthat the faun should keep the hankerchief...if it was that wet....Ewwww!

LuzEstrella · #10 Nov 14, '05, 8:56 am

Mr. Tumnus just seemed to be fearful of this apparently powerful witch and at first agreed to do whatever she wanted. I doubt he even thought out what he was agreeing to and it would keep him out of trouble with the White Witch. By going along with her plan, he had more to gain for himself than to lose. Upon meeting Lucy, spending time with her and enjoying her company, I think his conscience got the better of him.He would not be able to live with himself knowing that he had choice and Lucy would have been hurt by his decision to turn her in. He would have had the White Witch pleased with him, but at what cost?

Lady Cygnus · #11 Nov 14, '05, 9:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by asquared

I can't really enjoy the discussion since I have read the book so many times over the years, but glad a whole new generation of readers is coming on board.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this discussion...even after reading this book many many times. Things are being discussed that I never considered before, and it's very interesting

Lanasshoebox · #12 Nov 14, '05, 8:29 pm

No matter the number of times you read a passage or a book....it will reflect the day you are in, the path you have traveled, and will always have a different message for the traveler.....

lead on....right!

Quaere Verum · #13 Nov 25, '05, 6:32 pm

Fear! That is how the Faun is being manipulated by the White Witch.

Innate knowledge of right and wrong! That is why he doesn't follow through with the plan.

LSK · #14 Nov 29, '05, 12:16 pm

I think he is won over by Lucy's whole personality, her compassion and her love. She appeals to the good of him and that makes him want to be good again. He is serving the White Witch out of fear, I think, and his love of toast may have been how she ensnared him in the beginning but it is his fear that kept him ensnared.

Peace-bwu · #15 Jan 5, '06, 7:22 am

I think that the witch would tempt creatures with her food and faulty promises. she is a great liar. Mr. Tumnus's motivations may have been self preservation or a promise of reward. In a situation of oppression it can be more tempting to do unethical things. Many people who live with fear and tyrany just try to get what they can while living under that system of rule. They give up on change and just accept their plight and live with it, getting all they can out of it.

We saw this clearly in NAZI Germany. I think Mr Tumnus is very much like a German citizen who was just trying to survive. The packages could have been gifts from the witch for all we know. Germans in WWII era, lived in fear of being turned in by neighbors, there was no way of knowing whether someone would betray a neighbor who was harboring a Jewish friend, for example.

Mr Tumnus changed because he saw the innocence and kind heart of Lucy. Lucy's warm and open heart and obvious goodness was in direct comparison to the witch and that forced Mr Tumnus to be faced with the "Black and White" contrast between Lucy and the witch, rather than the shades of grey that blur our vision in bad times. The photograph of his father forced him to face the reality that what he was planning to do was evil and not compatable with his father's memory.

This portrays our ability to change our paths in life, to sacrifice our own comfort and even safety for the lives of innocent victims. The story of Mr. Tumnus is one of forgiveness and redemption. The portrayal of Mr. Tumnus listening to his own guilty conscience and his decision to change, rather than "give in" and accept or further evil, is the story of every wayward Christian, and Lucy's forgiveness is a necessary part of that transformation of Mr. Tumnus's soul.