Jill Pole

Lore & Background

Jill and Eustace are sent to Narnia by Aslan to find the kidnapped Prince Rilian, son of Caspian X. They accomplish this with the assistance of the marshwiggle Puddleglum. Jill has to learn to face her claustrophobia and nyctophobia during her quest, and also is the one Aslan has tasked with remembering the four signs that will guide them on their quest. When she is distracted from doing this by temptation of good food and rest as part of the Lady of the Green Kirtle's trickery, the group lose their way and find themselves in serious danger from the man-eating giants of Harfang. Jill is also the first to discover the exit from the Underland that leads back to Narnia, and she saves her wonderful clothes from Narnia to wear at fancy dress balls once she is back in England.

In Their Own Story

In *The Last Battle*, Jill and Eustace are called into Narnia to help King Tirian in his struggle against the false appearance of Aslan, and a Calormene invasion. They first free the king from where he is tied to a tree. Then the three of them steal away to a Narnian supply garrison where they put on Calormene disguises and return to Stable Hill. When they arrive, they free Jewel the Unicorn. Then Jill disobeys the king's orders by entering the Stable, but in doing so, she discovers Puzzle the Donkey, the fake Aslan. Jill becomes Puzzle's friend and saves him from execution by Tirian. During the battle, Jill fights with her bow and arrow and kills several Calormene soldiers while weeping for the now-doomed Narnia (she had previously stated that she hoped Narnia would go on forever). She later goes through the stable door and comes into Aslan's Country along with the others and also becomes one of the Queens (alongside Polly and Lucy) along with Eustace who becomes a King like Digory, Peter, and Edmund.

Reader's Guide

Jill Pole's journey is defined by her struggle with fear and distraction. In *The Silver Chair*, Aslan gives her four specific signs to guide the quest, but she fails to recite them when tempted by comfort at Harfang, leading the group into danger. Her growth comes through learning to trust the signs even when circumstances seem contradictory. In *The Last Battle*, she shows courage by entering the Stable alone, discovering the truth about the false Aslan, and befriending Puzzle the Donkey. Her archery skills prove vital in battle, and she ultimately enters Aslan's Country as a Queen.

Did You Know?

• Jill Pole appears in only two Narnia books: *The Silver Chair* and *The Last Battle*.
• She is the one Aslan tasks with remembering the four signs that guide the quest for Prince Rilian.
• Jill saves her Narnian clothes to wear at fancy dress balls back in England.
• In *The Last Battle*, Jill disobeys King Tirian's orders by entering the Stable, where she discovers Puzzle the Donkey.
• Jill becomes a Queen in Aslan's Country alongside Polly and Lucy, while Eustace becomes a King like Digory, Peter, and Edmund.