Peter Pevensie's Journey in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Film

It is easier to adjust to having power and wealth than to adjust to not having it. In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie find that a wardrobe is a portal into Narnia. After the defeat of the White Witch they serve as kings and queens of Narnia for years until they walk through the wardrobe to find that back in England no time has passed. The film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian helps answer the question of how they adjusted to life back in England. Unsurprisingly, Peter who served as High King of Narnia and was known as King Peter the Magnificent is having the most trouble adjusting.

When we first see Peter in the The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian film he is fighting in a subway station because another boy bumped into him and asked him to apologize. Blinded by his ego and memories of being high king he chooses to fight rather than walk away. Edmund comes to his aid, but he dismisses Edmund's help. Based on Peter's conversation with Susan this is not the first fight Peter has been in since returning to England from Narnia. Pride goes before fall and we can see that Peter is being set up for a fall.

Peter and his siblings only have a few minutes to enjoy Narnia before realizing that the Narnia they have returned to has changed dramatically from the one they ruled. Even during their initial exploration we can clearly see Peter start to take charge and make a torch before checking with the others. We see that the pattern of Edmund supporting Peter holds true as much in Narnia as it did in England. When Peter and his siblings find the trunks with many of the material goods they had as kings and queens of Narnia we can see the longing on his face. This longing is particularly pronounced as he looks at his sword.

Peter's arrogance and self-absorption contrast sharply against his humility in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but hints of his better nature can still be seen. His arrogance has not erased his desire to protect his siblings as we can see by his comforting of Lucy after a bear attacks her.