The Magician's Nephew | Chapter 4: The Bell and the Hammer

Chapter Summary: 

When Digory and Polly jump into the puddle, they successfully enter a new world. The world appears to be a dead one--it is dark, with a faint red light. Old buildings are in ruin, pillars are missing, and the world around them is in a state of, basically, falling down. 

Despite Polly's immediate dislike of the world, the two children explore the ruinous city/world, only to find courtyard after courtyard, and crumbling building after crumbling building. Eventually they come across a great hall filled with wax-like frozen individuals, dressed in ornate robes and gowns, many with crowns on their heads.

Upon inspection of the frozen figures, Polly and Digory discover that the ones near the entrance appear cheerful and happy, while those closer to the back appear more afraid, angry, or cruel. At the very back of the room is a richly dressed, beautiful woman with "a look of such fierceness and pride that it took your breath away" (p. 25). 

In the middle of the hall, there is a little hammer and bell, along with poetry that entices the reader to strike the bell to see what happens. Digory, enchanted by the great hall, insists that they strike the bell. When Polly argues and tries to put on her yellow ring to leave the world, Digory physically prevents her and simultaneously rings the bell. The ring of the bell becomes increasingly loud, until a large portion of the ceiling falls.

Reflection:

An important concept in all of literature (which is one of the things that makes it interesting) is the importance of choice--and thus the notion that actions have consequences, for better or for worse. This is prevalent in all literature, and of course is widely apparent in literature about or for children. Take a look at the inscription that was beneath the bell and hammer in this chapter:

"Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
Strike the bell and bide the danger,
Or wonder, till it drives you mad,
What would have followed if you had" (p. 26). 

Who wouldn't have struck the bell, really?

Nevertheless, Digory's choice to strike the bell was still a choice, and we know it was a choice and not the result of magical enchantment because Polly also chose--but she chose not to strike the bell. (Of course Digory physically restrained her and rendered her choice meaningless, but that's a whole other discussion.) As a reader, we see that the choice that Digory made has a very immediate consequence--the sound grows louder and louder, until eventually the roof collapses. An immediate consequence is important here for younger readers, so that they can draw the connection between action and consequence. Of course, adult readers will likely be able to look back at this moment many chapters later and think, "Yes, I see that X, Y, and Z all occurred because of Digory's choice to strike the bell." (Honestly, I can't recall what the consequence(s) of striking the bell are from this point forward, so it will be interesting to see what develops.)

The idea of choice becomes more obvious here when it becomes clear how significantly Digory and Polly are in opposition. Having read the chapter, it is abundantly clear that Polly dislikes the entire place--her first two lines after entering the world are "I don't like it" (p. 22) and "I don't like it" (p. 23). Meanwhile, Digory is intent on exploring the world and discovering more. In essence, the two characters in this chapter represent two very different personalities--the adventurer and the cautious, careful type. Who is "right" doesn't really matter anymore--the action has occurred and cannot be taken back. This is a rather important lesson for everyone to learn, know, and understand. But the real question is--which would Digory and Polly have regretted more: Ringing the bell, or not ringing the bell?

I leave you with a quote from Dumbledore: "It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."