The Magician’s Nephew: Chapter 11 “Digory and His Uncle Are Both in Trouble”
C.S. Lewis Read-Along, Vol. 6, Issue 12
Both Uncle Andrew and Digory face the consequences of their actions. For his part, Digory accepts the need for confession. Meanwhile, the Cabby begins to accept his new (but true) identity as king of Narnia.
Chapter 11 “Digory and His Uncle Are Both in Trouble”
Interestingly, chapter 6 is titled “The Beginning of Uncle Andrew’s Troubles,” and now in chapter 11, it’s “Digory and His Uncle Are Both in Trouble.” What Lewis means by “in trouble” is facing the consequences of their actions.
In chapter 6, Uncle Andrew is confronted with someone, Jadis, who epitomizes and embodies all his bluster. Now, he faces the very degradation he imposed on animals and the dehumanization he inflicted on Polly and others through his experimentation. This is what my grandmother would call his “chickens coming home to roost.”
But even in this moment, there is grace and humor, which provides Uncle Andrew another opportunity to change his ways.
The newly awakened animals are ignorant of humans and clothing, so they aren’t sure what Uncle Andrew might be. Interestingly, just as Uncle Andrew can’t understand them, the animals can’t understand him. Their unintentional ignorance and his purposeful stupidity have created a communication gap—Narnia’s Tower of Babel moment.
Unlike the way he treated others, the animals attempt to treat him well. Unfortunately, Uncle Andrew has masked his humanity, so the animals debate his essence. It’s a reminder that the more we engage in the dehumanization of others, the more we dehumanize ourselves.
