Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra
"THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA" 1. Teaching proposal. Reading Journal 1.1 Structure This is a lineal story. It is composed of an introduction, body or plot, and outcome or conclusion. However, the author introduces some other elements: digressions, stories within stories, memories, and changes in point of view, as a resource to create suspense. Part of the art of an author is to decide what to leave out. Therefore, you need to pay attention to what Lewis tells us without telling us. • •
What role does suspense play in the story? How is it created and maintained?
1.2 Voice and Point of View The narrator of The Magician's Nephew is omniscient. Look at the sections or moments when the narrator interrupts the story and speaks directly to the reader. • • •
What do these moments add to the story? How does the author use humor and irony to entertain the reader? What effect does this have on the
story?
1.3 Character Analysis Character analysis describes traits, motivations, personal conflicts, points of view, relationships and changes the characters experience. • • • •
What details does Lewis use to develop the characters? How does the nature of the character to action? Can we determine what a person will do in a given situation, based on what we know about him or her? When do the characters change and why?
Create a character value chart Make a table with two columns labeled values and character. In the first column write the values represented in The Magician's Nephew: charity, faith, humility, justice, mercy. In the second column write the names of the characters that embody these values.
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra 1.4 Literary Devices (Terms) Literary devices identify the puns, analogies, similes, metaphors, allegories and symbolism, and the use of language of each character. •
How do these devices enrich the text?
1.5 Topics Beliefs The characters in the series The Chronicles of Narnia are facing issues related to good and evil. When reading this book, think about the following: • • •
How does the development of the plot effect the behavior of the characters? Identify examples of positive and negative behaviors How do the characters respond to good and bad?
Values • • • •
What is the courage? When do the characters show courage? Analyze the difference between a reckless action and bold action What is the difference between caution and cowardice? How does fear effect perception of the world? How do the characters act?
Fantasy • • • •
Analyze the different elements of fantasy What images of this fantasy world are living? How do the children in the story adapt to the altered realities of Narnia? What preconceptions do they bring with them?
2. Reading Guide 2.1 Chapter 1- “The Wrong Door” • • • • • • •
Narrative Frame: place the time and space of the novel. Investigate the literary allusions that appear in this chapter: Sherlock Holmes, Bastables, Treasure Island. Describe these characters: Polly Plummer, Digory Kirke, Uncle Andrew. Why does Digory cry? What are the three reasons Digory has a negative opinion about London? Why does Digory think Uncle Andrew is crazy? What is Smuggler’s Cave?
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra • • •
What plan do Polly and Digory draw up in the attic? Why is this chapter called "The Wrong Door"? What happens to Polly at the end of chapter?
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English: Indignado
Depósito
Falsificador
Cueva de Contrabandista
2.2 Chapter 2- “Digory and His Uncle” Before Reading: Magic is defined as a supernatural power that makes impossible things happen or controls the forces of nature. Magic is used in some cultures to heal, ward off evil, seek truth or vengeance. Do you believe in magic? Why? Is there anything in this world that you feel is magical? Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Experto
Cotorrear
During reading: • • • • • • • • •
Who is Mrs Lefay? What we know of her history? What promise does Mrs. Lefay ask Uncle Andrew to make? Is it fair to say that intelligence gives someone the right to break the rules? Can you think of any real-life examples? What was in the box that Mrs. Lefay gave Andrew? What power does the yellow ring have? Why doesn’t Uncle Andrew test it on himself? "It is impossible to attain great wisdom without sacrifices" Do you agree with this statement of Uncle Andrew? Why or why not? What power does the green ring have?
After reading: • •
What do you think Digory is going to do? Explain the differences between Digory and Polly
2.3 Chapter 3- “The Wood Between the Worlds” Before reading: • Describe a forest
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra •
Why
does
Lewis
choose
a
forest
as
a
“place
between
worlds”?
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English: Valor Parlotear Confuso During reading: • • • •
Describe the Wood between the Worlds and how people feel about it. Use at least six adjectives. What are the similarities between the Forest and the tunnel? What happens when Digory and Polly jump the into the pond in London for the first time? Why doesn’t the yellow ring work in other ponds?
After reading: •
Have there been changes in the protagonists from the first chapter? Point out the differences and similarities.
2.4 Chapter 4- “The Bell and the Hammer” Before reading: • • •
What words do you associate with "bell"? with "hammer"? Define what a simile is (remember item 5 from language textbok) Identify two similes in this chapter and write them in this space:
During reading: • • • • • • •
Choose the two most accurate adjectives to describe the space of the new world Which of the two protagonists seems more courageous in this chapter? Why? Both Polly and Digory feel much interest in static figures that appear. What is most striking to each of them? What changes are discovered in the faces of the figures as they move around the room? Why do Polly and Digory quarrel at the end of the chapter? Describe the sound of the bell after Digory strikes it List four events in this chapter that suggest the sense of sight or hearing
After reading:
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra • •
Do you think Digory’s decision to ring the bell was correct? Why or why not? Relate this chapter with another story you know
2.5 Chapter 5- “The Deplorable Word” Before reading: Vocabulary- Define and translate to English: Deplorable
Peligro
Triste
Despreciativo
Hechizo
Debidamente
Tonterías Esbirro During reading: • • • • • • • • •
When the queen asks who has rung the bell, Digory immediately confesses it was him. What does that suggest about the character of the child? What happens to the building where the children are? Which of the two children feels more interest in the queen? Why? Define the character of the queen What is the difference between the sun in Charn and the sun in London? What is the queen’s name? What did the queen do with the city? Why? Define “deplorable and explain its meaning in the expression “deplorable word” Explain the destruction of Charn
After reading: • List the similarities between Uncle Andrew and Jadis • Why does the queen never command Polly?
2.6 Chapter 6- The Beginning of Uncle Andrew’s Problems Before reading: Vocabulary- Define and translate to English: Conseguir
Hacer las paces
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra
Coche de caballos
Endiabladamente
During reading: • • • • •
What new information do we know about the rings? What changes occur in the queen when she is in the Wood between the Worlds? And when in London? How does Uncle Andrew react when he sees Jadis? Describe his attitude. The narrator uses the first person voice. Do you think he is a witness to the events of the story? Was he present at the queen’s arrival? What did Aunt Letty do in the meantime? What does she ask of her brother?
After reading: • •
How will Aunt Letty react in front of the queen? Will Polly return to help Digory? Why or why not?
2.7 Chapter 7- What Happened at the Front Door Before reading: Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Sales
Arrasar
Cordero
Acelerador
During reading: • • • • • • • •
Find two similes and write them. This chapter has many idioms. Look for two and write them down. What do they mean? What can the queen not do in London that she can do in Charn? What does Jadis do to Aunt Letty? Who is Mabel Kirke? What does Digory hope for after hearing the conversation between his Aunt and her visitor? Describe the scene the child sees through the window. What is the horse called?
After reading: • •
What will the empress do? Why won’t Digory talk?
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra
2.8 Chapter 8-The Fight at the Lamp Post Before reading: • •
How does music effect you? Describe and empty world
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Delirio
Venganza
Impertinente During reading: • • • • • • • • •
Who does Uncle Andrew blame for his problems? Who comes to the Wood between the Worlds? What effect does the Wood have on Uncle Andrew? Does anyone else suffer a similar effect? What was the new world like when they arrived? Briefly describe the driver’s character. What did the group hear before seeing anything? How does the noise affect each person? Why doesn’t Digory want to go with Uncle Andrew? How does the new world change? List ten things created in the new world. Who sang?
After reading: • • •
Why is the driver mesmerized by the voice? Why do Andrew and Jadis feel rejected by the voice? Who might be the lion?
2.9 Chapter 9- The Founding of Narnia Before reading: •
What words do you associate with the word “palabra”?
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Melodioso
Abominable
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra Ostentoso
Caballería
During reading: • • • • •
How does the landscape change as the music changes? What is added to the new world? How do the characters react to the changes? What does Jadis throw at the lion? Why doesn’t this object do anything to the lion? Uncle Andrew says, “The commercial possibilities are endless in this country” (pg. 152). What does he mean? What does he see as a possible future for this new land? Where does Andrew think he is? Why does Digory become excited? Describe the unusual growth of Narnia and how it affects the characters
After reading: •
What will the Lion do with the animals selected?
2.10 Chapter 10- The First Joke and Other Matters Before reading: • •
What does it mean to believe? Why is it important to believe?
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Parecer de color rosa
Estruendo
Excluido
Cercado
During reading: • • • • • • • • •
Besides the animals, what else appears in Narnia? What is the Lion called? Why is Strawberry chosen? Who are the “mute creatures”? What does the Lion mean when he says, “you need not show always so solemn. Well the jokes, like justice, are linked to speech”? Explain the first joke of Narnia Why does the Lion call a council? Even though the taxi driver tries to remind Strawberry of the good things from his life in London, what does the horse remember? Why does he only remember the negative aspects of his life in London? What does Uncle Andrew hear while the animals talk? Why does he hear this?
After reading:
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra
• •
What do you think of this quote, “For what you see and hear depends largely on where you are, and also depends on the kind of person one is” (pg. 171). Do you think Uncle Andrew will ever be able to hear the animals talk?
2.11 Chapter 11- Digory and His Uncle are Both in Trouble Before reading: • •
Based on the title of this chapter, Digory and his uncle are going to have problems. Why might Digory have problems? While reading this chapter, note any biblical allusions that are made. List at least 2 events or conversations that match these allusions
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Sagaz
Cockney
Justo During reading: • • • • • • • • • •
Explain the third joke Why don’t the animals understand Uncle Andrew? What do they decide about him? What do the animals do to Andrew? Who are the sons of Adam? What does Digory admit to have done? What does this say of him? Who says, "that evil will arise, but that moment is still far away and I'll see that the worst falls on me" (p. 186)? What does Aslan call the driver? Who brings Aslan to Narnia using their voice? What are the driver and his wife going to do in Narnia? What does Aslan ask Polly?
After reading: • • •
What do you think Aslan has reserved for Digory? Why does Digory still not want to return to London? Relate the request Digory makes to Aslan with a story you know.
2.12 Chapter 12- Strawberry’s Adventure
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra
Before reading: •
Queen Jadis has almost completely disappeared from the story. Where do you think she’s gone?
Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Leonado
Corvetear
Vaya lío
Mercurio
Agitación During reading: • • • • • • • • • •
Who should “erase the bad”? Why does Aslan cry? List the similarities between Aslan and Digory What does Aslan mean when he says, “Thus, this land will enjoy a long and brilliant morning before any clouds cover the sun” (pgs. 195-195)? How does Digory feel when Aslan gives him a kiss? Who has to take Digory to Aslan? Who is Winged? What was Digory’s mission? When the children realize that they have no food, Polly says Aslan should have thought about this. Winged then says, “But I have the feeling he [Aslan] does not like to be asked things” (pg. 205). Is there similarity to God in this statement? How does Digory suggest they get food? Does Polly agree with this? What do they end up eating? What do they do with the ninth candy?
After reading: •
Who do you think is hiding in the dark?
2.13 Chapter 13- An Unexpected Meeting Before reading: • Who are the children and Winged going to meet? • Why is advice important? Should you always follow the advice of others? Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Abstenerse
Azafrán
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra A toda velocidad
Poner pies en polvorosa
During reading: • • • • • • • • • • • •
What happened to the candy that the boy planted? What was the air like as they neared the place? What surrounded the garden? What does the last line of warning written on the golden gates mean? What power does the fountain in the center of the garden symbolize? What color are the apples? How does Digory react when he smells the apples? Can he resist? List three reasons why Digory decides to keep the apple What was on the crown of the tree? Who else was in the garden? What were they eating? How does the witch try to persuade Digory to eat the apple? In the end, what mistake does the witch make that causes Digory to decide not to leave Narnia with the apple? What advice does his mother give him?
After reading: • •
What facts of chapter 13 reproduce the allegory of the creation you saw in Chapter 9? Is there anything that reminds you of the biblical account of creation? Digory thinks about the possibility of eating the apple and some concession in favor. He wonders, “Even if it were an order, would I be disobeying it if I ate an apple?”. He had already obeyed the order to take one for the others. Have you thought about how Digory acted? Have you ever made a decision that you thought was right but was really wrong? What was the result?
2.14 Chapter 14- The Planting of the Tree Before reading: Vocabulary- Define and translate to English Bautizado
Locura
Destestar
En menos que canta un gallo
During reading: • • •
After bringing the silver apple to Aslan, Digory forgets his problems and feels happy. Why do you think he feels this way? What are the names of the king and queen? What is inside the intertwined trees?
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra • • • • • • • •
What do the animals use to feed Uncle Andrew? What do they decide to name him? Why? Why do the children want to send Uncle Andrew out of Narnia? Why does Aslan say they shouldn’t worry? What is Aslan going to do with Andrew? Why were a gold tree and a silver tree born? What will protect Narnia from the witch? Aslan says, “That’s what happens to those who pick and eat fruits that they shouldn’t. Fruit is good, but hate from that moment” (pg. 238). What does this symbolize? What would have happened if someone had stolen the apple and planted the tree? Would Narnia be different? What does Aslan give Digory before leaving Narnia?
After reading: • Will the apple of youth help restore Digory’s mother? Why does Aslan say giving the apple of youth would have been more destructive? • Find a quote or passage that excites or produces a profound feeling. Describe why it is poignant. 2.15 Chapter 15- The End of This Story and the Beginning of All the Others Before reading: •
How will the return home be?
During reading: • • •
What warning and what order does Aslan give? What was the final destination of the apple? What happened to Uncle Andrew?
After reading: •
Make a final assessment of the story.
Activities for after Reading
3. Topics of Discussion The following questions are designed to spark discussion about the questions and issues raised in this story. 3.1 Childhood and adulthood “As is well known, kids do silly things in their own manner as do adults in their own
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra manner” (pg. 107). How would you describe the difference between the two different ways? What other observations does the author make about children and adults? Do you think Lewis recalled his own childhood or had an idea of how children think? Why or why not? 3.2 The complexity of emotions Lewis frequently shows that characters feel more than one thing at a time or alternate between different emotions. Find examples of this in the story 3.3 Gender Roles Compare male and female roles. How does this story reflect the different expectations of boys and girls? How did the attitudes about gender roles work in the period in which the series was written (first half of the 1950s)? Compare these attitudes to the attitudes of today’s society 3.4 Talking animals and non-talking animals Why is there a distinction between the talking animals and those who do not speak? Why do Narnians respect talking animals, but not non-talking animals? What does this say about the importance the author gives to the ability to speak as an attribute of humanity? 3.5 Other topics •
In what ways does Lewis allow us to learn about the characters? For example, what can we learn from how they appear, how the act and react in different situations, what they say, and how they differ from others? • In what point of view are the new worlds described? • What is the Wood between the Worlds? What effect does it have on Digory and Polly? What about the witch and Uncle Andrew? Why does it have these effect? What do you think the woods symbolize? • One of the first experiences that enters Narnia, after Aslan gives it live through his voice, is laughter. Why do you think the author decided to establish Narnia with a joke? Why do you think Aslan sends Digory for the apple, when he could easily get it through his powers? • What does the choice of the driver as the first king of Narnia mean? What qualities should a good leader have? • Explain the following quotations. What do they mean in context? What do you think of the ideas? - “Men like me, who have hidden knowledge, are free from the normal rules of the world, just like we are also excluded from ordinary pleasures. Ours, boy, is a sublime and lonely destiny” (Uncle Andrew, pgs. 30-31) - "Things always act according to their nature. The witch has obtained what she most wanted, has boundless energy and endless days of life, like a goddess. But a long
Bilingual Project IES Alpujarra life with an evil heart is not nothing but endless pain and She is beginning to realize this. Everyone gets what they want; not everyone likes it" (Aslan, pg. 239).
4. Independent Projects 4.1 Map of Narnia Create a map of the world of Narnia, showing physical characteristics, towns and other interesting places. Include some of the characters and events from the story. 4.2 Investigate historical links The Chronicles of Narnia were written in the years follow World War II. In fact, the first book, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, takes place as bombs fall on London. Investigate why the defeat of the Nazis by the Allies has been seen as the triumph of good over evil. Write an essay on the role historical events played in the creation of this series. 4.3 Write a fantasy story CS Lewis uses the fantasy genre to create a world in which characters must face questions of good and evil. Write your own fantasy story. Create a world based entirely on your own imagination, full of fantastic creatures that deal with conflicts that test their morals. 4.4 Interview Suppose you could interview C. S. Lewis. Write questions about the book and the answers you think he would give. 4.5 Sensory imagery "... But it was a different stillness. The silence of the forest had been placid and warm, you could almost feel the trees growing, full of life. There was a dead silence, cold and empty" (pg. 62 ). Listen to a moment of silence. Describe the tranquility. 4.6 Develop a comic Select the most important sequences of the story and make another story in pictures. As a guide, use chapter 4 of the Spanish Language and Literature textbook. Make a sketch with drawings inspired by the mental images evoked by the text. 5. Evaluation • • •
Turn in the Reading Guide Turn in the glossary Choose one of the independent projects