The White Witch has put a curse on the land. It is always winter and never Christmas in Narnia – be aware, she has the power to turn you into stone. Don’t eat any “enchanted” Turkish Delight!
The White Witch is an important character in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. When the story begins, the White Witch has been reigning over the magical land of Narnia for a hundred years. For that entire time, she has enchanted the world to make it always winter and never Christmas. The snowy landscape she created is where her title comes from. The witch is pale and cold, practically lifeless, and lacking in both passion and compassion. In fact, the only passion she ever seems to feel is anger.
Why is the White Witch Evil?
The White Witch has many magical powers, including the power to create an endless winter and to create enchanted food from a magic potion. She is a nasty tyrant who uses the Secret Police, headed by the wolf Fenris Ulf, and a network of spies to control everyone in Narnia. Her punishments are terrible, and she frequently turns her enemies into stone statues which decorate her house and garden. She wants everyone to believe that she is Queen of Narnia, but really she has usurped that title from Aslan, a lion. The Witch's greatest fear is that Aslan will return and crown four human beings, two male and two female, at Cair Paravel. When that happens, the legends say, she will be destroyed. Although she is very powerful, her power begins to wane when Aslan does return to Narnia. Winter starts to turn to spring and Aslan is able to change the stone victims back to their natural state.
When Edmund, one of the main characters in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, first stumbles into Narnia, he meets The White Witch (Jadis) and is taken in by her beauty and magical powers. She gives Edmund enchanted Turkish Delight, which is an expensive candy that was only available in Britain as an import when the book was written. She tells Edmund that if he brings her his siblings, he can have more Turkish Delight. Her plan, however, is to kill Edmund and his siblings and prevent the prophecy that would spell her downfall from coming true.
Part of what makes the Witch so evil is that she's not what she seems. In the real world, we're used to appearances being deceptive. But in Narnia, the way things look is the way they really are and the outside usually expresses the true nature of things. Aslan looks good and noble and wise because he is. It's not hard to guess that creatures like centaurs and dryads are always good. And it's obvious that other creatures, like hags and wolves, are bad.
The Witch is a deceiver. She appears to be human, but she really is not. Mr Beaver explains that the Witch bases her claim to the throne of Narnia on the assertion that she is human. Her ability to simulate humanity without really being human is part of her uncanny evil. In the same way, the whiteness of her face is eerie.
Although she's evil, the Witch also seems to be a necessary part of the structure of morality in Narnia. The Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time grants her certain rights.
This suggests that the Witch has been in Narnia from the very beginning and that she fulfils an important function as the person who punishes betrayal.
What we discover in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is that, although the Witch is evil, she can't force other people to do her bidding if they resist her. Of course she can punish or hurt them, but they still have choices to make. When the Witch feeds Edmund her enchanted Turkish Delight and convinces him to betray his brother and sisters to her, she's only playing on his pre-existing selfishness and greed. So maybe the most frightening thing about the Witch is that she draws out the evil that exists in people to begin with.
The White Queen of Narnia is an important symbolic character. As many people know, The Chronicles of Narnia is an extended Christian allegory, with each book examining different elements of the Christian faith. The White Witch represents a false god who is not as powerful as Aslan.. Her interaction with Edmund makes her a strong symbol of temptation.
Where to find the Narnia Trail
Discover the legacy of the White Witch in Kilbroney Park. Will you dare to walk through the wardrobe and discover the Narnia Trail? Find out more here.
Kilbroney Park features riverside walks and an arboretum. There is a two-mile forest drive which showcases panoramic views over Carlingford Lough. There is also a Play Park with children's play area and tennis courts, an Information area and a café all on site.
The famous writer, C S Lewis, as a young boy, spent much holiday time in the Mournes and Rostrevor in particular, allowing him to imagine, dream and wonder, and inspiring his creation of the magical world of Narnia.
This beautiful area has superb views and good walking routes over Carlingford Lough. Rostrevor Forest is also known as one of the highest ranking woodlands in the East of Northern Ireland and is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Rostrevor, a picturesque village, lies at the southern entrance to the Mournes and along the shores of Carlingford Lough. In 1612 Sir Edward Trevor married Rose Ussher, daughter of the Archbishop of Armagh and it is said that he named the village after his new young wife. The village has a number of beautiful walks through Rostrevor Forest and Kilbroney Park. Rostrevor is an area of historical interest and has lots of associated folklore. On the slopes of Slieve Martin in Kilbroney Park you will find the ‘Big Stone’ (Cloc Mor, anglicized to Cloughmore). St Bronagh’s 6th Century Church and Bell and Giant Murphy’s Grave are also located in the village.
In a beautifully refurbished 18th century building, where the Crawford family first started serving drinks in the mid-1800s, the Rostrevor Inn hosts a charming traditional bar and stables area, an atmospheric main bar serving delicious food.
Famous for delicious, great value food & welcoming ambience, the award-winning Rostrevor Inn hosts a popular bistro, atmospheric traditional bar. The beautifully renovated 1800s building is yards from Kilbroney Park, the gateway to the Mournes.
The Sands is a family run bed and breakfast just 500 metres from the heart of the picturesque village of Rostrevor. The area is famed for its alpine scenery and the Sands boasts spectacular views of the Mourne Mountains.
