The Magician’s Nephew: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

The animals don’t understand about human clothes, so Uncle Andrew, in his black suit, and with his greater height, doesn’t look like the same sort of creature as the children and the Cabby. He also doesn’t talk like they do—only saying, “Good Doggie,” to the inquisitive Bulldog. Then he swoons. From this, the animals conclude that Uncle Andrew must be an odd sort of tree—meaning that it must be planted. So two moles dig a hole, the animals debate about which end is up, and finally they agree to plant Uncle Andrew feet-first in the earth. The elephant fills her trunk at the river and “waters” him. Uncle Andrew has a great shock when he finally revives.

Meanwhile, Digory approaches Aslan on Strawberry’s back. Aslan looks both more beautiful and more terrible than Digory had thought. He slips off Strawberry’s back and haltingly asks Aslan if perhaps he could have some magic Narnian fruit that will restore his mother’s health. Aslan doesn’t reply right away. He looks at his animal councilors and says, “This is the Boy who did it.”

Aslan turns to Digory. He tells Digory to tell the other Beasts how the evil Witch came to Narnia. Though Digory thinks of many excuses, he feels compelled to tell the truth. He explains that he was trying to bring the Witch back to her own world. Aslan’s silence signals that he needs to elaborate. He explains how he and Polly first came to Charn, where he “met” the Witch. Aslan’s faint growl warns him to be honest. He didn’t merely “meet” the Witch; he was responsible for waking her, over Polly’s protests, and he was only pretending to be acting under the influence of an enchantment.

There’s a long silence, and Digory is sure that he’s ruined everything for himself and his mother. But Aslan is now addressing his councilors. He explains to them that this “son of Adam” has brought evil into Narnia before it was more than a few hours old. But they must not be downcast—Aslan will make sure that, someday, the ultimate evil falls upon himself. Meanwhile, Narnia will be “a merry land,” and “Adam’s race” will help to heal the harm they’ve caused.

Aslan now summons Polly and the Cabby to come closer. Aslan tells the Cabby that he has known him for a long time; does the Cabby know him? The Cabby doesn’t, but he feels as if they’ve met before. Aslan tells him that the Cabby knows him better than he thinks. He asks the Cabby how he likes Narnia. The Cabby says that he’d be pleased to stay here always, if he weren’t married. At this, Aslan lets out a powerful roar. In response, a young woman suddenly appears, wearing an apron and covered with soapsuds.

The young woman thinks she’s dreaming, until she sees the Lion. She gives a small curtsey and takes the Cabby’s hand. Aslan looks at the two and tells them, “My children […] you are to be the first King and Queen of Narnia.” He instructs the astonished pair that they will name and rule over the Narnian creatures, protecting them from the evil Witch who has entered the world.

The Cabby haltingly thanks Aslan but explains that he’s not fit for the job—he hasn’t much education. Aslan asks him if he can farm, and treat the Talking Beasts with dignity, and raise his offspring to do the same. The Cabby agrees, his accent becoming less cockney and more country. Aslan says that if he can do all this and also lead Narnia in war, then that is all that can be asked of a King. His coronation will occur shortly. Finally, Aslan turns to Polly to ask if she’s forgiven Digory for the violence he did in Charn. When she says yes, Aslan turns to Digory himself.