Narnia Vocabulary Chapter 14 – The Triumph of the Witch

Definition

campaign / organized series of actions designed to accomplish a specific goal
siege / prolonged military effort to surround a place and cut off from all outside access in order to force a surrender
assault / to attack, as in war
roused / to stir up someone from sleep or rest
groped / search for something blindly or uncertainly
bitterly / expressive of severe pain, grief or regret
bind / tie something securely by winding a cord around it to hold it in place
gibber / to speak quickly without making sense
shaved / cutting hair with a razor or scissors
shears / scissors; device used to cut hair or fleece
squat / to crouch down
muzzle / device strapped over the nose and jaws of an animal to prevent it from opening its mouth
rabble / noisy, unruly crowd of people; mob
hoist / raise or lift something up into position
whet / to sharpen the cutting edge of a blade, usually by rubbing it on a stone
pact / agreement made between two or more individuals or groups
appeased / to bring about a state of peace, especially by giving in to demands

I. Vocabulary Enrichment Activities – Chapter 14

A. Fill in the blank with the missing word that best completes the meaning of the sentence. Use the story context for clues.

1)In order to prepare for their ______against the White Witch, Aslan spoke long with Peter, preparing him for a possible ______against the Witch’s palace.

2)Peter was uncomfortable when he realized that whatever ______Aslan had made with the White Witch might make it impossible for Aslan to be with him during the final ______on the White Witch and her evil minions.

3)Later that evening, Susan and Lucy were unable to sleep and, in the dead of night, they ______their way blindly out of the tent in search of Aslan.

4)When they arrived at their destination, Aslan bid the girls farewell, and they both began to cry ______for they were certain something awful was going to happen.

5)The girls ______in the shadows behind some trees as the evil minions

of darkness ______the great Aslan with rope, put a ______over his beautiful jaws, and then ______off his luxurious mane.

6)When all was ready, Aslan was ______onto the Stone Table and the White Witch began to ______her knife to make sure it would be sharp enough to kill the once proud lion.

7)The ______of evil creatures made fun of Aslan, calling him names in an effort to humiliate him, but he met their cruelty with dignity as the White Witch plunged her knife into his heart.

B. Critical Analysis

1)Explain what you think is going to happen based on the way Aslan is described in this chapter. Keep in mind that he is returning to the Stone Table, his head is held very low, and he describes himself as feeling very “sad and lonely.” p.164.

2)At the end of this chapter, the witch is certain she has triumphed over Aslan. What makes her so sure she has won?

C. Comprehension – Multiple Choice

Read each question or statement, then select the best answer from the choices provided. Circle the letter of your answer.

1)How many plans of battle did Aslan suggest Peter should prepare?

a)four

b)two

c)six

d)one

2)How would you describe Aslan’s mood on the way to the Fords of Beruna?

a)depressed

b)confident

c)bitter

d)angry

3)Why couldn’t Lucy and Susan sleep?

a)They were worried about Edmund.

b)They were excited about the battle to come.

c)They were afraid.

d)They were anxious about Aslan.

4)What does Aslan ask the girls to do as they accompany him?

a)Bury their cold hands in his fur

b)Not talk

c)Sing a song with him

d)Pray for him

5)As Aslan moved towards the Stone Table, the Witch told her creatures to:

a)make fun of him.

b)throw chips of burning wood at him

c)bind him tight

d)hit him with their fists

6)Why did the Witch insist that Aslan be shaved?

a)She was afraid that Aslan’s mane would get in the way of her knife.

b)She thought that perhaps Aslan might betray his word and hide a weapon in his mane.

c)She planned to take the fur and make a cloak for herself.

d)She wanted to humiliate and embarrass him by taking away the mane that made him seem so powerful.

7)After Aslan was bound and muzzled, the rabble:

a)still appeared to be terrified of him.

b)began to jeer at him and call him names.

c)started to throw sticks and stones at him.

d)began to sing and dance.

8)After Aslan was hoisted to the top of the Table, the Witch:

a)began to say a magic spell.

b)poured hot oil on him.

c)began to whet her knife.

d)jumped on him and kicked him in the face.

9)Right before she plunged the knife into Aslan’s heart, the Witch:

a)called upon the forces of evil to guide her hand.

b)raised her arms to the sky and called on the Emperor of Narnia to witness her triumph.

c)spit into Aslan’s face.

d)Yelled at Aslan that she has triumphed and now will kill Edmund and the others.

10) At the moment of his death, Aslan appeared:

a)neither angry nor afraid but a little sad.

b)frightened.

c)full of hopelessness.

d)joyful.

II. Write, Discuss, Create – Chapter 14

Write: Go to Google Documents. There you will find a document called “Sacrifices.” With your classmates, make a list of the people who sacrifice each day to provide us with a safe and secure world in which to live (example: parents, teachers, soldiers, firemen, policemen, etc.) Add to the list the types of sacrifices these people are called upon to make every day.

Discuss: Be prepared to discuss your ideas in class.

Create: “Heroes” – On your own, create a poster, write a poem, a song, or other artistic work dedicated to a person you believe sacrificed his/her life for others. The person could be a political figure, a religious leader, or a member of your community or family. Identify the person by name, and include a brief explanation of the sacrifice this person made and why you believe this person was a hero.

Narnia Vocabulary Chapter 15 – Deeper Magic From Before the Dawn of Time

Definition

vile / awful; disgusting; worthless
shame / Apainful emotion caused by awareness of guilt, unworthiness,
or embarrassment
stroke / moving the hand lightly over a surface in a loving way
fondle / to handle very tenderly, in a loving or affectionate way
spitefulness / mean or cruel; unreasonable desire to see someone suffer
peer / to look very carefully or hard
incantation / the ritual chanting of magic words
lashing / the quick back and forth movement of a cat’s tail
romp / to frolic or play in a joyous and high-spirited way
briar / A shrub with woody, thorny or prickly stems
battlements / protective walls built with open spaces used as places of defense
not slacking / without stopping;moving quickly and with purpose

Narnian Expressions:

“Deeper Magic from before the Dawn of Time” – Magic that existed Narnia was created, going back before time began. This is the magic that saved Aslan because, when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s place, then the Stone Table would crack and Death itself would start working backward.

I. Vocabulary Enrichment Activities – Chapter 15

A. Fill in the blank with the missing word that best completes the meaning of the sentence. Use the story context for clues.

1)After the White Witch led her followers to war, Lucy and Susan approached the dead Aslan and ______and ______his sad face.

2)They looked with ______at what the ______creatures had done to Aslan and were overcome with sadness.

3)The White Witch’s ______was evident in the way she had sheared off his beautiful mane and muzzled his jaws.

4)When the girls ______carefully at Aslan’s body, they saw small grey creatures gnawing at the cords that bound him and were overjoyed.

B. Critical Analysis

1) Some people believe that Aslan’s sacrifice in place of Edmund is like the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Discuss how you think they were alike and how they were different.

2) Explain what you think about the “Deeper Magic from before the Dawn of Time” and why this “Deeper Magic” was able to overcome death.

C. Comprehension – Short Answer

1)What did Lucy and Susan do after the White Witch left to go to war with the others?

2)Why weren’t Susan and Lucy able to untie Aslan?

3)What were the creatures crawling all over Aslan’s body?

4)What were they doing?

5)What happened when the sun began to rise?

6)How did Aslan explain what happened?

7)What did Aslan and the children do when they realized he had truly returned to them?

8)Why was the children’s ride on Aslan’s back one of their most unforgettable experiences?

9)Where did Aslan take the children?

10) How did Aslan get the children past the castle wall and into the courtyard?

II. Write, Discuss, Create – Chapter 15

Write: A letter to a friend who has just lost a family member or a close friend. Give them advice about what the person might do to cope with his/her feelings.

Discuss: Be prepared to discuss if you have ever felt so sad that you had no tears left and, if so, do you agree with the author that eventually there comes a “time of quietness…as if nothing is ever going to happen again.” p. 174

Discuss the types of events that could cause this feeling (e.g., death, separation, divorce, etc.)

Create:

  • Go to Google Documents and find the document titled “Tragedy.”
  • In the first column, list different types of tragic events you have read about, heard about, or experienced yourself.
  • In the second column, write down specific ideas you feel might help people who have experienced such tragedies deal with their feelings.