Question

In The Magician's Nephew, C.S. Lewis writes that Uncle Andrew was "vain as a peacock; that was why he had become a Magician." What connection can you make between vanity and wanting to be a magician?

Answer 1

Uncle Andrew's vanity and his aspiration to become a magician are connected through a desire for power, attention, and respect, reflecting the same reasons a peacock displays its feathers.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis, a connection is drawn between vanity and the desire to become a magician. Uncle Andrew's vanity, likened to that of a peacock, suggests a preoccupation with image and the desire for power and admiration from others. The allure of becoming a magician can be associated with the pursuit of knowledge and abilities that set one apart and place one in a position to command attention and respect, much like a peacock with its splendid feathers. Vanity may drive an individual towards the mystical and secretive world of magic as a means to feel superior or special, thus gaining the awe and envy of their peers.