First Contact: Edmund's Questionable Impressionability

As I read the first half of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the differences between Lucy and Edmund's native voyages into Narnia inspired some interesting thoughts about the two young characters. Edmund and Lucy's separate conceptions of Narnian affairs are both influenced by their first Narnian verbal encounters. Through varied methods - moments of personal sadness and confession versus bribes of Turkish Delight - Mr. Tumnus and the White Witch convince Lucy and Edmund respectively that they are in the right. To the reader, Mr. Tumnus is decidedly good, but Edmund's conversation with the wintry Queen is more complicated. The White Witch undoubtedly molds Edmund's considerations of the two parties in conflict, and because of his initial conversation with the Witch, Edmund is more likely to understand and agree with her later requests. Both Edmund and Lucy undoubtedly believe that they have met the good factions of Narnia.

Contrary to my initial thought, these first meetings do not merely speak of the impressionability of children - although one could draw many conclusions about Lewis's beliefs about young people. Lucy and Edmund are both suited to agree with their spontaneous ambassadors: Lucy is caring and truthful; Edmund leans towards spite, greed, and selfishness. Thus, I don't think Edmund's encounter with the White Witch is an example of his palpable morality. He was simply influenced by a character of similar sentiment. Instead of illustrating the potential corruptibility of a child's mind, I believe this passage speaks more strongly when read as allegorical: demonic forces probably choose more susceptible targets in which to work their evil.

What do you think? Would the Witch have found young Lucy as easily manipulatable? What about Peter and Susan? How does an ambassador change the way you look at a new and foreign experience?