While reading "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe", it might become obvious to you that the characters of the Pevensie children are spiritually significant. We are introduced to the children in the first chapter of the novel and throughout the story their personalities are revealed to us through their thoughts and actions. For instance, it is quite obvious from the first few chapters that Lucy is a caring, honest person and Edmund is her polar opposite. Author Paul A.Karkainen of "Narnia Explored" has compared the Pevensie Children and their relationship with Aslan to Jesus relationship with his disciples. At least, Peter, Edmund and Lucy can be compared to three of the disciples as Karkainen believes that Susan's character wasn't developed enough in TLTWW to compare her to any of the apostles.
Lucy, the youngest of the four, is the honest and caring character who is always willing to help others. She is also the most spiritually perceptive and the first to find the land of Narnia. It seems that it is no coincidence that her name refers to the word 'lucidity' or 'light'. The oldest of the siblings, Peter, apparently believes that Lucy has more insight than the others and relies on her several times to make decisions, such as when they first meet the beaver, Peter asks Lucy what she thinks of the beaver. When Lucy replies "I think it's a nice beaver" Peter apparently believes her and suggests that they see for themselves. Karkainen has compared Lucy to the Disciple, John, whom Jesus loved. He has observed that Lucy's love for Narnia and Aslan is "immediate, spontaneous, and unshakable." Although Lucy is a little frightened of the strange land of Narnia, when she first discovers it, she has a way of reacting to the realities of things rather than their appearances, such as when Lucy first meets the Faun, Mr.Tumnus. She is not frightened by his strange appearance and simply says "Good evening" to him. Beacuse she is a trusting person she later accepts his invitation for tea, not knowing that he is planning to deceive her. Lucy is also a very forgiving person. This is evident in the way she shows concern for Edmund, even after he betrays everyone to the White Witch. The first thing she says to Aslan when she first meets him is "Please, Aslan- can anything be done to save Edmund?". She is also very quick to offer Edmund the healing potion, which Father Christmas gave her, after he is wounded in battle. After the battle with the White Witch, Aslan crowns Lucy as Queen Lucy and she later becomes known as Queen Lucy the Valiant.
Peter, the oldest of the four, is the leader of the group, (although he sometimes relies on his younger sister's advice before making certain decisions). Peter is perhaps the bravest of the group and he does his best to protect his younger siblings, including Edmund, who betrayed his siblings. One of the most significant moments of Peter's bravery occurs when he risks his life to save his sisters from the attacking wolf. After he slays the wolf, Aslan, impressed by Peter's bravery and skill, decides to make Peter a knight of Narnia, giving him the title "Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane". Peter not only shows himself to be brave, he also shows himself to be a forgiving person, like his sister, Lucy. After he learns that Edmund has betrayed everyone, he still has the desire to help Edmund stating "we'll still have to go and look for him.He is our brother after all, even if he is rather a little beast.And he's only a kid". In spiritual terms, Peter is comparable to the converted apostle, Paul. Although Peter was never described as being a cruel, persecuting person, his failure early in the story to see that Lucy is telling the truth about the land of Narnia serves as a form of persecution for Lucy. However, as soon as Peter discovers that Lucy was telling the truth, he begins to assert his leadership as the siblings begin their adventures in the land of Narnia.After the battle, Peter is crowned by Aslan as King Peter and became known as King peter the Magnificent.
Edmund, the second youngest, is very different from his brother and sisters.From the first few chapters of the book it is obvious what kind of person he is. Edmund is revealed to be dishonest, cruel, and has a bitter attitude toward life.The only explanation we have for Edmund's behavior is that a school he attended caused him to start behaving like this. In Chapter five, after visiting the land of Narnia for the first time, Edmund denies the existence of Narnia simply because he wanted to spite Lucy, who was right. Edmund's most insidious act however, is his betrayal of his siblings to the White Witch, whom he met when he first entered Narnia. However, this act of betrayal can be considered forgivable since Edmund was enchanted by the Witch after eating magic Turkish Delight.Edmund's attitude finally begins to change in Chapter 11, when the White Witch turns a group of creatures into stone, putting an end to their Christmas dinner. After this event, the author states that "Edmund, for the first time in this story felt sorry for someone besides himself."This evil act of the Witch causes Edmund to realize what she is really like, (after convincing himself earlier that she is a good witch.)After, Edmund is rescued from the Witch by a group of creatures sent by Aslan, he has a long conversation with Aslan which seems to completely change his attitude.By the end of the story Edmund is no longer a bitter, deceitful person.Author, Paul.A. Karkainen compares Edmund, at first is to the disciple, Judas.This comparison makes sense as both Edmund and Judas are guilty of betrayal.However, Edmund's reformation by the end of the story makes him comparable to the Apostle Peter, who denied Christ prior to the crucifixion. Aslan later crowns Edmund as King Edmund, and he becomes known as King Edmund the Just.
Susan is the second oldest of the siblings and usually behaves in a calm, mature manner.When Father Christmas gives her a set of bow and arrows, it is later revealed that Susan is very skilled at archery.Unfortunately, her character is not fully developed in TLTWTW, making it difficult to compare her to one of the disciples.However, Susan at least takes part in a scene similar to what took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, as mentioned in the Bible.In this particular spiritual event, Lucy and Susan accompany Aslan on his dark journey to the stone table where he will sacrifice himself to save Edmund's life.Susan is later crowned by Aslan as Queen Susan and becomes known as Queen Susan the gentle.