Change of Edmund in Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
In various works of literature characters can undergo changes which affect them as well as those around them. An example of this can be seen in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S Lewis. The character of Edmund goes through a character transformation as his journey through Narnia progresses. At the start of the novel Lewis shows him to be a gullible, selfish and an uncaring person, especially towards his family. Yet as the book progresses, Edmund changes for the better and eventually becomes selfless and compassionate towards his family. The change he undergoes comes from the relationships he has with his siblings and the White Witch. Lewis immediately shows Edmund to be self-involved and gullible. He quickly becomes wrapped into the lies of the White Witch and believes what she tells him. The White Witch feeds him Turkish delights which he quickly eats and allows her to retrieve some information about his siblings that she needs to know. As he finishes the candy, the Witch tells him, “I want a nice boy whom I could bring up as a Prince… he would wear a gold crown and eat Turkish delights all day long (Lewis, 39)...” This is significant because it shows the White Witch is able to bribe him into betraying his family just by satisfying Edmund’s need for can and power. By assuring him he can eat candy as a prince he is easily tempted by the Witch and he succumbs to her demands. His selfishness is again seen as he is about to leave and states “…please couldn’t I have just one piece of Turkish delight to eat on the way home (Lewis, 41).” Edmund wants to satisfy his need to have more than what he already has. Edmund is insatiable, although it is a simple request, this illustrates Edmund’s desire for self satisfaction. He hungers for more even at the risk of betraying his family. Not only does he hunger for candy, but Edmund hungers for power, especially over his siblings. He knows the White Witch isn’t good but he keeps thinking about the candy, and if he