Tag Archives: puberty

Can we talk about Susan Pevensie for a moment?

Whatcom Falls, Bellingham, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger
Whatcom Falls, Bellingham, WA. Photo by Scarlett Messenger

The fate of Susan Pevensie from C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia has been hotly debated by fans and feminists. Lewis shuts her out of Narnia once her interest in boys and cosmetics blooms, and she is referred to in grave tones by her siblings as no longer being a “friend of Narnia”. These two articles by E. Jade Lomax are the best I’ve seen at giving us an idea of what awaits the heroine once the adventure is over.

Can we talk about Susan Pevensie for a moment?
I want to read about Susan finishing out boarding school as a grown queen reigning from a teenaged girl’s body. School bullies and peer pressure from children and teachers who treat you like you’re less than sentient wouldn’t have the same impact. C’mon, Susan of the Horn, Susan who bested the DLF at archery, and rode a lion, and won wars, sitting in a school uniform with her eyebrows rising higher and higher as some old goon at the front of the room slams his fist on the lectern.

Also:

Let’s talk about how, when the war ends,

when the Pevensie children go back to London, Susan sees a young woman standing at the train platform, weeping, waving.

First, Susan thinks civilian; and second, she thinks not much older than me.

Third, Susan thinks Mother.