Choosing: Favorite Character, Puddleglum

By: Amy Stello

I think that one of my favorite characters from the entire Narnia series is Puddleglum, from The Silver Chair. Puddleglum is almost the exact definition of a contradiction. When he speaks to Eustace and Jill, his attitude is completely down in the dumps. Every situation is a feat impossible if one takes Puddleglum at his word. This is a contradiction because Puddleglum ends up being the absolute best companion that the children could have during their adventure. Even at the very beginning of the novel, Puddleglum makes the children believe that they will be eating disgusting food and sleeping on horrendously uncomfortable beds. Of course, after the children eat his food and sleep in his beds, they are the most comfortable and feel revived and ready to go towards their journey.
It seems that Lewis often makes this kind of point with characters. One of Lewis's themes which seems prevalent throughout the Narnia series is that things are not always what they seem. When Edmund first meets the White Witch, he thinks she is delightful merely because she gives him Turkish Delight. When Jill first meets Aslan, she is frightened of him and wishes for him to leave her so she can drink from the stream of water. I am glad that Lewis uses this example because I find it true for most circumstances in life. First impressions should not define someone's belief in another person. Quick judgments can be harming to everyone involved and someone might lose the best friend she ever had by making a quick judgement. This contradiction of character is not only a comedic device, but an insightful recognition by Lewis.