The Chronicles of Narnia franchise has numerous beloved characters in it, with many of them being women or girls. But, with only a few of the books receiving widespread movie release (these being The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), in addition to the controversy around how the author C.S. Lewis treated his female characters, it has been all too easy to forget about many of these wonderful women.
Strength and power come in many forms. The women of Narnia exhibit this beautifully, with some showing mental fortitude above physical strength, or an aptitude for weaponry, or the power that comes from ruling a country. Or, there are even some (typically villains in the Narnia universe) who possess magical gifts that make them some of the most powerful beings in the land. With Greta Gerwig at the helm of adapting further Narnia films, fans eagerly await her vision for all of these women, whether they be queens, witches, or something else entirely.
Polly Plummer Deserves More Credit
Polly is one of the most underrated female characters in the world of Narnia, but the upcoming Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew movie should hopefully change that. She does not have immense physical strength, nor any magic powers, nor any knowledge of combat, nor weapons. However, what she lacks in these aspects, she more than makes up for in sheer attitude.
At only eleven years old, Polly travels to Narnia (one of the first humans to do so) alongside her friend Digory Kirke. Facing numerous obstacles, Polly is the voice of reason in contrast to Digory’s boundless enthusiasm and occasional foolhardy nature. But, although she has a logical brain, she also has a backbone of steel, refusing to back down to Jadis and defying her with a frank candidness that others would be too afraid to attempt. She was there when Narnia was created, and she was there when it entered its final days.
Jill Pole Goes From Fearful to Fearsome
Jill leaves Narnia a completely different person than when she entered it. Of course, there is an argument to be made that everyone is touched by Narnia in a similar way, especially Eustace Scrubb, Jill’s friend. But of the women who enter Narnia, Jill is certainly the one who is most changed, starting as a timid and fearful girl and transforming into a brave and capable warrior, thus highlighting her strong moral character.
Appearing in two books (The Silver Chair and The Last Battle), Jill uses a small knife throughout their adventures, but becomes especially proficient in using a bow and arrow. Additionally, she becomes quite a tactician and is involved in multiple battles, quests, and eventually is crowned one of the queens of Narnia by Aslan.
Susan Pevensie Showcases Quiet Strength
Known also as Queen Susan the Gentle, Susan was the eldest daughter of the Pevensie siblings and, in addition to her siblings, ruled Narnia as High Queen during the Golden Age of Narnia. As queen, she is a political force, but outside of that, she knows how to use the bow and arrows gifted to her by Father Christmas. Although she is a threat behind the bow, it was always important to Susan that violence was to be used as a last resort, and that diplomacy and reason should come first.
Susan is often a misunderstood woman in the Narnia universe, and much of that is the fault of the author C.S. Lewis. At the end of the series, he writes that Susan doesn’t enter Narnia again with her siblings, stating that she focuses too much on vanity to be allowed back. Fans have long rebelled against this plot point, citing that Susan had always been the emotional backbone behind her siblings and the voice of logic. Her strength and power come from her ability to stay true to herself, even if that is something the author deemed not enough to allow her entrance back into Narnia.
Aravis Tarkheena Grows Into a Courageous Leader
Aravis is a trailblazer for women in the world of Narnia, but also in the world of fantasy overall, given that the book she’s featured in, The Horse and His Boy, was released in 1954. A Calormene noble, she rejected an arranged marriage and fled the kingdom, switching from a life of riches to a life of uncertainty, but also of freedom. Her attitude reflects her privileged upbringing for a while, but over time, she shows a strength of character in being able to learn about her own faults and prejudices and change them.
An intelligent and capable woman, Aravis helps Shasta stop a threat to Archenland and later uses her education as a noble to help her after she becomes the Queen of Archenland. But, during the events of her book, she also proves herself to be a warrior as well, taught in the art of swordsmanship in addition to being able to use a bow and arrow.
Lucy Pevensie Is Brave and Inspirational
Also known as Queen Lucy the Valiant, Lucy was one of the four Pevensie siblings to rule Narnia during the Golden Age of Narnia. As queen, she wielded quite a bit of political power, but she also possessed other strengths in addition to the crown she briefly wore. One such strength is the cordial of healing elixir she was given by Father Christmas, in addition to a dagger, and later in the series, a bow and arrow, and a sword.
But Lucy’s true strength lies in her bravery (lauded by Aslan herself) and in her heart and belief in Narnia. She is the first to perceive Narnia and see Aslan, and is one of the two Pevensie siblings allowed to remain in Narnia for the longest amount of time. She is an inspirational leader, a hard worker, and a fierce friend who stands up for what is right.
The Lady of the Green Kirtle Is a Master Manipulator
This sly antagonist proved that mental mind games can be even more dangerous than physical battles. A sorceress with control over the Underland, The Lady of the Green Kirtle is a master of manipulation. Her control over people’s minds is so powerful that she’s able to wipe away memories entirely and bend people to her will.
In addition to other enchantments and trickery, the Lady of the Green Kirtle is also a shapeshifter. Her form as a large snake allows her the use of venom, as well as immense physical strength. It was in this form that Prince Rilian finally realized that she was the creature who had killed his mother years before, and after Puddleglum took away her enchantment, Rilian was able to defeat her.
Jadis/The White Witch Is a Powerful Sorceress
The White Witch isn’t just one of the strongest women in The Chronicles of Narnia; she’s one of the most powerful characters overall. Originally from the world of Charn, she is royalty descended from giants and jinn. This makes her physically stronger, taller, more beautiful, and much more powerful with sorcery than virtually any other character in the world of Narnia.
Being immortal, Jadis had the patience and intelligence to plan out her evil schemes. This, plus her magical abilities, made it so she ruled Narnia for a period of time, only to be stopped by the Pevensies and Aslan. Her powers include: spells and charms, psychic abilities, control over ice and snow, turning people to stone, and “the deplorable word,” which was a spell that could kill all living beings of a world.
- First Film
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- First TV Show
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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
- Created by
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C.S. Lewis
- Latest Film
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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- First Episode Air Date
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July 9, 1967