The Apple and the Wardrobe

The Magician's Nephew

This flow follows the apple’s passage from a moral test to a healing gift and finally to the origin of the wardrobe’s magic.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Garden’s Fruit The Garden’s Fruit from "The Magician's Nephew". The Garden’s Fruit A guarded gift Digory finds the silver apples in a private garden and takes one for Aslan.

The Garden’s Fruit from "The Magician's Nephew". The Garden’s Fruit A guarded gift Digory finds the silver apples in a private garden and takes one for Aslan.

The Garden’s Fruit A guarded gift Digory finds the silver apples in a private garden and takes one for Aslan. The notice distinguishes giving from taking for oneself, making the fruit’s use part of its meaning. Two responses Jadis climbs the wall, eats an apple, and claims it for personal power. Digory carries his fruit away untasted, while the contrast between them sets up the choice that follows.

The Temptation The Temptation from "The Magician's Nephew". The Temptation An offer of healing Jadis tells Digory that the apple could cure Mabel.

The Temptation An offer of healing Jadis tells Digory that the apple could cure Mabel. She presents theft as an act of love and urges him to abandon his promise to Aslan. A moral distinction Digory recognizes that his mother would not want him to steal or break his word. Jadis’s suggestion that he leave Polly exposes the selfishness beneath her apparent concern.

The Apple Becomes a Tree The Apple Becomes a Tree from "The Magician's Nephew". The Apple Becomes a Tree Digory’s task completed Digory gives the apple to Aslan, who tells him to plant it by the river.

The Apple Becomes a Tree from "The Magician's Nephew". The Apple Becomes a Tree Digory’s task completed Digory gives the apple to Aslan, who tells him to plant it by the river.

The Apple Becomes a Tree Digory’s task completed Digory gives the apple to Aslan, who tells him to plant it by the river. From that seed grows a tree whose scent repels Jadis and protects the new country. A communal safeguard The tree turns an individual choice into a lasting public defense. Aslan charges the Narnians with guarding it, linking the fruit’s proper use to their future security.

Healing at Home Healing at Home from "The Magician's Nephew". Healing at Home A freely given apple Aslan allows Digory to take another apple to Mabel.

Healing at Home A freely given apple Aslan allows Digory to take another apple to Mabel. Digory peels and serves it, and she soon falls into natural, peaceful sleep. Hope becomes evidence The doctor later describes her recovery as extraordinary. The gift answers Digory’s private need without the corrupting consequences Aslan associates with a stolen fruit.

Wood for a Wardrobe Wood for a Wardrobe from "The Magician's Nephew". Wood for a Wardrobe A tree in England The apple core grows into a tree in Digory’s garden.

Wood for a Wardrobe from "The Magician's Nephew". Wood for a Wardrobe A tree in England The apple core grows into a tree in Digory’s garden.

Wood for a Wardrobe A tree in England The apple core grows into a tree in Digory’s garden. It bears unusually fine fruit, while retaining a mysterious connection to the tree in Narnia. A passage survives When a storm later fells the tree, Digory has some of its timber made into a wardrobe. Its hidden magic begins the later comings and goings between Narnia and the human world.

the morning Digory enters the mountain garden

just outside the garden gates

during the coronation gathering in Narnia

the evening Digory returns to London

when Digory is middle-aged