Giant

Giants are a race of enormous, powerful beings in Narnia, capable of both great destruction and unexpected kindness, as exemplified by the loyal and good-natured Giant Rumblebuffin who aids Aslan's forces.

Nature and Origins

The White Witch herself is said to be descended from giants on one side of her lineage, a heritage that contributes to her immense stature and formidable power. Mr. Beaver explains that she comes "of the giants" on one side, and from the Jinn on the other, making her a being with no drop of real Human blood. This mixed ancestry is presented as the source of her inherent evil, with Mrs. Beaver stating, "That's why she's bad all through, Mr. Beaver." The narrative thus establishes giants as a race that, while not inherently evil, can be a source of great danger when aligned with malevolent forces.

Giant Rumblebuffin: A Case Study in Giant Character

The most prominent giant in the story is Giant Rumblebuffin, a figure who embodies the potential for goodness within his race. He was among the statues in the White Witch's courtyard, turned to stone by her wand. When Aslan breathes on him, restoring him to life, Rumblebuffin awakens with a start, rubbing his eyes and saying, "Bless me! I must have been asleep." His first thought is of the Witch, whom he calls a "dratted little Witch," showing his loyalty to the side of good. He is described as having an "honest ugly face" that beams with delight when he understands that Aslan has rescued him. Mr. Tumnus later confirms that "All the Buffins always were" nice, calling them "One of the most respected of all the giant families in Narnia" and noting their traditions, though he adds that they are "Not very clever, perhaps."

Role in the Battle and Liberation

Giant Rumblebuffin plays a crucial role in the final stages of the war against the White Witch. After the liberation of the statues, Aslan calls on him to break down the castle gates. Rumblebuffin strides to the gate and strikes it with his huge club: "bang—bang—bang—went his huge club. The gates creaked at the first blow, cracked at the second, and shivered at the third." He then tackles the towers on either side, bringing them and a good bit of the wall down in a "mass of hopeless rubble." This act of physical strength opens the way for Aslan's army to march to the final battle. Later, in the battle itself, Rumblebuffin fights alongside Aslan's forces, his club and even his feet crushing dozens of the enemy. His immense size and power make him a devastating weapon against the Witch's army.

Thematic Significance

Giants in Narnia represent the raw, untamed power of the natural world, a force that can be used for either tyranny or liberation. The White Witch's giant heritage contributes to her cruel and oppressive reign, while Giant Rumblebuffin's strength is placed in the service of Aslan's good and just cause. The contrast between the two underscores the theme that power itself is neutral; it is the character and choices of the being who wields it that determine its moral value. Rumblebuffin's simple, good-natured personality, combined with his immense physical might, illustrates that even the most formidable creatures can be gentle and loyal, challenging the notion that size and strength are inherently linked to malice.