Choose two of the “other worlds” described in the unit. Compare and contrast the ways these other worlds impacted the real world for the characters.Select the link to access the English Essay Rubric.mouse icon English Essay Rubric
In the unit, two "other worlds" that are described are the magical land of Narnia in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the futuristic society of Panem in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. These other worlds have a significant impact on the characters in both books, but in different ways.
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the world of Narnia is discovered by the Pevensie children through a magical wardrobe. Narnia is a land frozen in eternal winter under the control of the White Witch. The impact of Narnia on the characters is transformative. For the Pevensie children, Narnia becomes a place of adventure and personal growth. They learn important moral lessons and develop their character through their experiences in this magical world. For example, Peter becomes a courageous and wise leader, while Lucy learns the importance of trust and empathy. Narnia also allows the characters to escape from the real world and their problems, providing them with a sense of freedom and wonder.
In contrast, the world of Panem in The Hunger Games is a dystopian society controlled by a totalitarian government. It is a grim and brutal place where children are forced to fight to the death in televised arenas. The impact of Panem on the characters is much more sinister. The oppressive regime and the hunger games themselves breed fear, distrust, and desperation among the characters. Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist, is emotionally scarred by the violence and loss she witnesses in the games. The world of Panem forces the characters to make difficult choices for survival and challenges their morality and humanity. Additionally, Panem also reflects the harsh realities of the real world, such as social inequality and the abuse of power, making it a cautionary tale and a mirror to our own society.
While both Narnia and Panem are otherworldly realms, their impact on the real world for the characters is quite different. Narnia provides an escape and a source of personal growth and moral development for the Pevensie children, while Panem's impact on the characters is one of survival, trauma, and commentary on our own world. Both other worlds, however, serve as catalysts for change and self-discovery for the characters and help them navigate and make sense of their own realities.