Aslan's Sacrifice and Resurrection

Traces the central event of the story: Aslan's willing death for Edmund and his triumphant return.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Aslan's Sadness

The Coming Sacrifice Aslan's Mood Aslan is distant and sad after the Witch's visit. He sighs and walks slowly. Susan and Lucy sense something wrong. The Offer of Company Aslan allows the girls to walk with him. He stumbles and moans. He tells them he is sad and lonely. They stroke his mane. The Walk to the Stone Table Aslan leads them to the hill. He tells them to stop at the last tree. He walks alone to the Table, where the Witch's horde awaits.

The Death of Aslan

The Humiliation and Death The Binding and Mocking The hags and ogres bind Aslan, shave his mane, and muzzle him. They mock him. He does not resist. The girls watch in horror. The Killing The Witch sharpens her stone knife. She boasts that the Deep Magic is appeased but that she will still kill Edmund. She stabs Aslan. He dies. The Aftermath The Witch's forces leave. The girls approach the body. They remove the muzzle and weep. Mice gnaw the ropes. The Table cracks.

The Resurrection of Aslan

The Deeper Magic The Empty Table At sunrise, the Stone Table is broken. Aslan is gone. The girls hear a voice and see Aslan, larger and more golden, alive. He explains the Deeper Magic: when a willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's stead, death itself works backwards. The Romp Aslan is playful. He chases the girls, and they roll in the grass. He is full of life. The Roar Aslan roars, and the forest trembles. He carries the girls to the Witch's castle. His resurrection is the turning point of the story, proving that love and sacrifice conquer evil.

After the bargain with the Witch, at the camp

Night of the sacrifice, on the Stone Table

Dawn after the sacrifice