Jadis and Her Sister

The Magician's Nephew

This flow reconstructs Jadis’s account of her rivalry with her sister and shows how grievance becomes world-ending violence.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Disputed Throne A Disputed Throne from "The Magician's Nephew". A Disputed Throne Political rivalry Jadis says her sister refused to yield the throne and describes the struggle as a contest over rule.

A Disputed Throne from "The Magician's Nephew". A Disputed Throne Political rivalry Jadis says her sister refused to yield the throne and describes the struggle as a contest over rule.

A Disputed Throne Political rivalry Jadis says her sister refused to yield the throne and describes the struggle as a contest over rule. Her account gives the conflict a personal and dynastic frame. A claimed grievance Jadis presents herself as willing to spare her sister if she surrendered. The claim cannot erase the ruler’s own appetite for absolute power, but it shows how she justifies escalation.

An Oath Against Magic An Oath Against Magic from "The Magician's Nephew". An Oath Against Magic A restraint accepted Jadis says the rival sides promised not to use magic in the war.

An Oath Against Magic from "The Magician's Nephew". An Oath Against Magic A restraint accepted Jadis says the rival sides promised not to use magic in the war.

An Oath Against Magic A restraint accepted Jadis says the rival sides promised not to use magic in the war. The oath represents a last attempt to contain a conflict whose weapons could exceed ordinary political violence. Restraint abandoned She claims her sister broke the promise first. Whether excuse or explanation, Jadis uses the alleged breach to present her own later choice as necessary retaliation.

The Final Battle The Final Battle from "The Magician's Nephew". The Final Battle Defeat approaches Jadis watches the final battle from the terrace as her forces are destroyed and her sister’s rebels advance.

The Final Battle from "The Magician's Nephew". The Final Battle Defeat approaches Jadis watches the final battle from the terrace as her forces are destroyed and her sister’s rebels advance.

The Final Battle Defeat approaches Jadis watches the final battle from the terrace as her forces are destroyed and her sister’s rebels advance. She waits until the defeat appears unavoidable. A deliberate decision Jadis chooses the Deplorable Word when her sister is close enough to see her. Her account emphasizes resolve, but the result is mass death rather than a limited victory.

The World Falls Silent The World Falls Silent from "The Magician's Nephew". The World Falls Silent Total destruction The Word kills every living thing in Charn except the one who speaks it.

The World Falls Silent from "The Magician's Nephew". The World Falls Silent Total destruction The Word kills every living thing in Charn except the one who speaks it.

The World Falls Silent Total destruction The Word kills every living thing in Charn except the one who speaks it. Jadis wins the throne by eliminating not only her sister but the entire population. Sovereignty emptied Her triumph leaves no subjects to rule and no society to inherit the victory. The desolate city reveals the emptiness at the center of her desire for absolute power.

Grievance Survives Grievance Survives from "The Magician's Nephew". Grievance Survives Blame remains fixed Even after awakening from enchanted sleep, Jadis blames her sister for the ruin.

Grievance Survives from "The Magician's Nephew". Grievance Survives Blame remains fixed Even after awakening from enchanted sleep, Jadis blames her sister for the ruin.

Grievance Survives Blame remains fixed Even after awakening from enchanted sleep, Jadis blames her sister for the ruin. She shows no sorrow for ordinary people or animals killed by her decision. A pattern carried forward Her account anticipates her conduct in Narnia and London: opposition is treated as permission to destroy. The old rivalry has ended, but its logic continues wherever she seeks dominion.

before the final battle in Charn

before the last battle of the civil war

the last three days of Charn’s war

the moment Jadis speaks the Deplorable Word

when Jadis explains Charn to Digory