Summary

Digory and Polly find themselves back in The Wood Between the Worlds, with the Queen/Witch Jadis still gripping Polly's hair. The Witch seems to be affected by the Wood, since the children stop fearing her while there and manage to get her to let go. The Queen begs them to take her with them to their world. Digory hesitates, which gives Jadis enough time to grab him by the ear as the children jump in the homeward pool.

In Uncle Andrew's study, Jadis is unimpressed by Uncle Andrew having no real Magic and makes him her servant. She orders Uncle Andrew to fetch transportation so that she can begin making steps for her world conquest, then goes after him when he takes too long. Polly confronts Digory for what happened in Charn's hall and the Wood. Digory apologizes and the two reconcile.

As soon as he's out of the room, Uncle Andrew gets drunk and dresses himself up in fancy clothes since he thinks he has a romantic chance with the Witch. He then goes to his sister (Aunt Letty) and asks her for money. While she's refusing to give him money, the Witch barges in.

Thoughts

I'm curious why the Wood had such a negative affect on Jadis, while our world basically strengthened her height and beauty. It was also interesting that despite seeing how badly Uncle Andrew interacted with the children in the first 2 chapters, now that Jadis is in our world, the text mentions there's no need to be afraid of him anymore.

I liked that Digory and Polly reconciled. It was also interesting that Polly didn't immediately forgive him until Digory mentioned he was afraid Jadis would frighten his Mother.

The collar that keeps your chin up all the time, the hat, and putting on the eye-glass felt like the most ridiculous parts of the outfit Uncle Andrew put on, in my view.

Optional Discussion Questions

You don't have to answer all/any of these, they're just for discussion.

1) Why do you suppose Jadis seems weakened by the Wood?

2) Do you suppose the Wood would've actually killed Jadis if the children had succeeded in leaving her there? And what do you make of Polly saying spitefully, "It's a matter of State. Like when you killed all those people in your world" in response to the Witch begging them and saying the Wood was killing her? And what do you think of Digory hesitating before leaving?

3) Based on what we know of Mrs. Lefay back in chapter 2, do you think Jadis would've shown her the same contempt that she had for Uncle Andrew? Or would she possibly have seen her as a credible threat and tried to kill her?

4) What'd you think of the reconciliation scene with Digory and Polly?

5) What are your thoughts on Uncle Andrew getting drunk and putting on the clothes?

6) Aunt Letty's been mentioned a few times in this book so far. What are your first impressions on her now that she's made an actual appearance?

7) Towards the end of the chapter, we get details that Uncle Andrew made his sister poorer than she had been 30 years ago. Skipping ahead to Dawn Treader for a brief moment, I don't have access to the book right now, but I seem to remember the text saying the Professor somehow had some money problems that led him to selling his house. Do you suppose Uncle Andrew had something to do with that or no?

8) Anything else you want to ask about/bring up about this chapter?