In C.S. Lewis’ chapter Aslan is Nearer, Lewis focuses on Edmund’s repentance. Edmund has now discovered that Turkish Delight was no delight and that the Queen is no beauty. On their journey to kill the humans–Edmund’s siblings–Edmund begins to see glimpses of life in the deathly snow-infested land of Narnia. Satyrs and a dwarf are feasting; a new sign that the tide is turning in Narnia. But the witch wastes no time in turning the festive creatures into stone. Incidentally, “for the first time Edmund felt sorry for someone besides himself.” Edmund’s rebellion is melting–as the snow–and turning to something genuine and true. Edmund is returning home. However, it is not Edmund who states the obvious. In sight of the trees coming to life, it is the Witch’s slave–the dwarf–who exclaims, “This is no thaw…this is Spring! This is Aslan’s doing!” Even the wicked declare the overturning of their own empire.
