Food in the Chronicles of Narnia facts for kids

Food in the Chronicles of Narnia is a really important part of the stories written by C. S. Lewis. In these magical books, food often helps to show us what characters are like. It can also tempt children into tricky or dangerous situations.

Magical and Wholesome Foods

C. S. Lewis shows us two kinds of food in Narnia: magical food and everyday food. He even wrote, "There's nothing that spoils the taste of good ordinary food half so much as the memory of bad magic food."

A famous example of "bad magic food" is the enchanted Turkish Delight that Edmund eats with the White Witch. This sweet treat makes him want more and more.

On the other hand, "ordinary" foods are usually good and healthy. These include the cozy teas shared with Mr. Tumnus and the Beavers. Or the delicious meal Lucy has with Corakin the Magician. That meal included a hot omelette, cold lamb, green peas, strawberry ice, and lemon-squash.

Tea Time in Narnia

Tea is a very common and special meal in Narnia. When Lucy first enters Narnia through the wardrobe, she is invited to a "wonderful tea" with Mr. Tumnus the faun.

This tea includes a nice brown egg, sardines on toast, buttered toast, and toast with honey. There's even a sugar-topped cake! This kind of tea was a typical British meal. For Lucy, who was living during a war, these simple, fresh foods would have been a real treat.

The talking Beavers also serve the children a warm tea. They have a "gloriously sticky marmalade roll" that is steaming hot, along with other healthy foods. Even Father Christmas brings a pot of tea when the children are being chased by the White Witch. The Beavers also prepare sliced ham for sandwiches.

The Temptation of Turkish Delight

In the story, Prince Edmund is offered a "very sweet and foamy and creamy" drink by the White Witch. After that, she gives him "several pounds of the best Turkish Delight."

This Turkish Delight is enchanted. Anyone who eats it will want more and more. They might even keep eating it until it makes them very sick or worse. Scholars believe this shows Edmund's greedy side and his lack of self-control.

There's a similar moment in The Magician's Nephew. Digory is tempted to eat a silver apple by Queen Jadis (who later becomes the White Witch). Digory knows he shouldn't take the apple. Even though he really wants it, he resists because he fears what Aslan might do.

Edmund, however, becomes obsessed with Turkish Delight. Even when it makes him sick, he still wants it more than anything else. He can no longer enjoy normal, healthy meals. The Witch only gives him water and stale bread. His sister later gives him a magical medicine called an anodyne. It is made from "the juice of one of the fireflowers that grow in the mountains of the sun." This part of the story shows how Edmund makes a mistake and then becomes good again. He eventually becomes "King Edmund the Just."