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Read Chapters 14-17; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 14-17

I will read aloud the classic Aesop fable, “The Lion and the Mouse.” Have the class discuss the message of the story. Ask: "What is the moral or theme? How does the lion’s decision impact the meaning of the whole story? If the lion had made a different decision, would the message of the story change? How?"

will explain that a character’s choices and the effects of those choices give readers insight into the themes or messages of a story. An author tries to show us how we ought to behave as human beings (or how we should not behave) based on how characters in the story choose to act and react. The effects of that decision provide a clue to the author’s message. For example, because the Lion’s decision to free the mouse had a positive result for him (i.e. the mouse returned to save him), the author might be trying to communicate that acts of kindness are always rewarded. To explain the theme of a story, I will examine an important decision made by a main character (or group of main characters), evaluate the effects of that decision (by judging whether they are positive or negative), and use that information to explain the message of a story.

To explain one possible theme (greed) in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I will examine Edmund’s decision to desert his siblings at the beavers’ house and journey to the Queen’s castle on his own. This seems like an important and difficult decision that changed the course of the story, so I want to probe it further to see what it means.

First, I will look at the effects of this decision. On chart paper, I will write that because Edmund deserted his siblings, he is a traitor. Edmund revealed the location of Aslan and his siblings to the Queen. According to Narnia’s “Deep Magic,” any traitor is punishable by death. The Queen, then, had the right to kill Edmund. The Queen used Edmund’s betrayal to convince Aslan to sacrifice himself to save Edmund. Aslan sacrificed himself to save Edmund.

Next, I will determine whether it was a positive or negative decision in the story by evaluating the effects. The effects of Edmund’s betrayal were negative because it ultimately led to Aslan having to sacrifice himself to save the greedy sibling. If Aslan hadn’t done this, Edmund himself would have died. I can tell that the author believes Edmund’s decision to betray his siblings was a negative one. I will record this on chart paper.

Finally, I will use this information to explain the theme. I can conclude that one possible theme of the story is that greed only leads to further hardship and sacrifice. Another theme might be that we should choose paths of self-sacrifice (like Aslan) and not those of greed and self-interest. See the Deciding the Theme Chart for additional themes.

Ask: "How can I explain a theme of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?" Students should respond that a theme of the story can be explained by examining important decisions made by one or more characters, evaluating the effects of those decisions and determining whether they were positive or negative, and using them to explain the message of the story.

will explain the theme of Forgiveness in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We will examine the decision made by Aslan and the siblings to forgive Edmund for his betrayal and evaluate its effects on chart paper. See Deciding the Theme Chart for an example. First, we will chart the effects of this decision. On chart paper, we will write that forgiving Edmund resulted in a stronger group of siblings who were able to join together to fight the Queen’s army. With the whole family fighting, they were able to claim victory in battle. We will also write that forgiving Edmund allowed the four siblings to fulfill the prophecy and reign over Narnia.

Next, we will determine whether it was a positive or negative decision in the story by evaluating the effects. We will write that the effects of forgiving Edmund were positive. We can tell that forgiveness brought the children together as a team and allowed them to be victorious in their battle against the Queen. By moving beyond mistakes, they were all able to rise to power as a family unit. The author must think this is the right thing to do.

Finally, we will use this information to explain the theme. We will conclude that one possible theme of the story is that we must forgive each other for the mistakes we make. Another theme might be that forgiveness makes family and friends have a stronger bond.

will examine the effects of the Queen’s decision to kill the siblings, in order to determine the theme. You will determine another theme by examining the effect of Aslan’s decision to sacrifice himself in exchange for Edmund’s freedom. (See pages 20-21 in the Student Packet.) Note: Introduce the themes before students complete the Independent Practice in their Student Packet. Explain that they should think about the themes in terms of good and evil.

will come together to discuss Aslan’s sacrifice, its effects, and the message in the novel. Can students think of other textual examples from the novel that support themes in the book? For example, Lucy’s decision to save Tumnus and her loyalty to his well-being should support the theme of loyalty that we identified together in class.