Susan and Lucy are sisters

Susan and Lucy Pevensie are sisters, two of the four children evacuated from London during the war to the house of an old Professor. Their relationship is defined by a blend of sisterly affection, contrasting temperaments, and a shared journey through the magical land of Narnia that tests and ultimately strengthens their bond.

Identity and Temperament

Susan is the elder of the two sisters, described as a tall and gracious woman with black hair that fell almost to her feet. She is characterized by a practical and cautious nature, often acting as a voice of reason and concern. When the children first enter Narnia together, it is Susan who suggests they put on the fur coats from the wardrobe to keep warm, a sensible plan that the others immediately adopt. She is also the first to voice doubts about the safety of their adventure, asking, "I don't know that I'm going to like this place after all" upon discovering the arrest of Mr. Tumnus. Lucy, the youngest of the four children, is described as always gay and golden haired. She is the most imaginative and trusting, the first to enter Narnia and the one who steadfastly believes in its reality despite the initial disbelief of her siblings. Her courage is noted by her people, who call her Queen Lucy the Valiant.

Shared Experiences and Emotional Support

The sisters share several pivotal and deeply emotional experiences in Narnia. After the death of Aslan on the Stone Table, it is Susan and Lucy who remain with his body, kneeling in the wet grass to kiss his cold face and stroke his fur. They cry together until they can cry no more, holding each other's hands for mere loneliness. In the darkest part of the night, they work together to remove the muzzle from the dead Lion's face, and later, they are the ones who witness the mice gnawing through the ropes that bound him. Their shared vigil is a profound moment of sisterly solidarity in the face of despair. Later, they are the first to see Aslan resurrected, and they fling themselves upon him and cover him with kisses. Aslan then takes them on a wild, joyful romp around the hilltop, a moment of pure, shared happiness that erases their fatigue and hunger. This sequence of shared grief and joy cements their bond.

Contrasting Roles and Dynamics

Despite their closeness, Susan and Lucy have distinct roles within the group. Susan is often the more hesitant and protective sister. When the children decide to follow the robin, it is Susan who asks, "What do you think, Peter?" deferring to the eldest. She also expresses a desire to return home when the adventure becomes dangerous. Lucy, in contrast, is the moral compass and the most determined. It is Lucy who insists they cannot abandon Mr. Tumnus, saying, "We simply must try to rescue him." This dynamic is also reflected in the gifts they receive from Father Christmas. Susan is given a bow and a horn, with the explicit instruction that she is not meant to fight in the battle, while Lucy receives a dagger and a healing cordial, also told she is not to be in the battle. Their roles are supportive rather than combative, with Susan's gifts for defense and summoning aid, and Lucy's for healing.

Change and Ending

Their relationship endures through the years of their reign in Narnia, where Susan becomes known as Queen Susan the Gentle and Lucy as Queen Lucy the Valiant. They rule together with their brothers, governing Narnia well and long. The final adventure of their reign, the hunt for the White Stag, sees them acting as a unified group of monarchs. When they stumble back through the wardrobe into their own world, they are no longer queens but simply Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy in their old clothes. The shared secret of Narnia remains a powerful bond between them, a private world of adventure and growth that only the four of them know.

Narrative Role and Evaluation

Susan and Lucy function as a pair within the narrative, representing the feminine perspective of the adventure. Their emotional journey—from initial fear and caution to profound grief and then to triumphant joy—provides a crucial counterpoint to the more action-oriented roles of Peter and Edmund. Their witness to Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection is central to the story's thematic core of sacrifice and redemption. While Susan's practicality and Lucy's faith often create a tension, it is a productive one that allows them to support each other and the group. Their sisterhood is a stable, loving relationship that is never seriously threatened, providing an emotional anchor in the tumultuous events of the story.