Post #7 in the Children’s Chapter Book Series
C. S. Lewis published his classic tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which would serve as the first of the Narnia Chronicles, in 1950. The story takes place a decade earlier during the Second World War when, in order to escape the Blitz, the four Pevensie children (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) are sent to live with an elderly professor in the English countryside. While exploring the house shortly after their arrival, the youngest sibling, Lucy, discovers the magical world of Narnia after entering a wardrobe. While none of the other children believe her at first, each child is eventually drawn into this other kingdom and its unfolding drama. For Narnia has been laid asleep in a permanent “winter without Christmas” under the spell of the evil White Witch. This villain has literally petrified many of the residents, blanketing this other world in mistrust and fear. The four children’s arrival now heralds the fulfillment of a prophecy that “two sons of Adam” and “two daughters of Eve” will undo the curse, and hasten the return of the King, Aslan, who is signified by a mighty lion. The return of this beloved King, his restitution of the traitor child, Edmund, through the sacrifice of his very own life, and the ultimate slaying of the White Witch ensure Narnia’s restoration to verdant happiness.
Each of the four siblings plays a profound role in the story. Lucy, the youngest, is the first to discover the portal through the wardrobe to the magical kingdom, and the one whose faith never wavers. She is courage personified, and so aptly named Queen Lucy the Valiant by the story’s end. Peter, the eldest, moves heartedly from disbelief to belief, embodying loyalty both to his own family and to his acquaintances of this new world: as a result, he is crowned King Peter the Magnificent. Susan, the second oldest, also remains true to the cause after her initial “conversion,” thus becoming Queen Susan the Gentle. But it is the troublemaker, Edmund, who stands out as the “black” sheep, or perhaps more appropriately here, the “lost” one, as he betrays his siblings, and then his new found friends, all for the false temptations offered by the White Witch. Eventually he repents, and his life is spared by the witch only because Aslan offers his own life in return. In his subsequent “crucifixion” and “resurrection,” then, Aslan offers a type of the Christ figure. And so we see how Lewis penned a universally appealing and enduring “story for children” embedded, in fact, with the Gospel. Thus, too, we see how, rightly and poetically, the forgiven and redeemed Edmund joins his siblings, crowned now as King Edmund the Just.
I love to return to this story. I have again and again, and each time, I glean something new, something more miraculous in the overall mystery and even within the minute details. Growing up, I had never conceived of it as a “Christian allegory;” it was just a good story. But it is just this goodness, I now see, that is precisely the draw: for Scripture, undeniably, is just a good story, too. I was not raised with any kind of definitive faith, really, and so when I returned to Lewis’ tale later, with the eyes first of an English literature scholar, and then, finally, as a Christian myself, it was like walking through the wardrobe door anew: with eyes opened and truly seeing this time. Now when I watch others enter, I feel akin to the character of Professor Kirke who takes in the children and who has experienced the mystery firsthand, and yet who allows them the delight and the dignity of discovering it on their own.
As a lover of God, and a lover of literature, reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe from the vantage point of having been now through the door, so to speak, myself, has led me to make the following conclusion:
Nothing lies outside of the Christ story.
I would argue that the Bible is the necessary foundation of any reading life, first because of its obvious a priori importance to the Christian faith, and thus saving truth relevant to all of humankind. But also second, because of how every piece of literature I have ever encountered resonates with and ultimately upholds Biblical truths.
Put another way: Nothing lies beyond the reach of the Great Author’s mercy, salvation and transformative power.
Every day – amidst our own figurative “wars” – we are sent to be among “strangers,” to uphold family, to depend upon friends. Every day, we face the door of most profound decision; the portal upon which every other decision – and all meaning ultimately – depends.
The doubting Thomas in each of us looks upon the wardrobe door, or perhaps hears of others’ testimonies, and asks: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
But the Lord answers the adult Thomas with all of the love, and none of the condescension, a parent holds for a child: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father, as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (Jn 14:5-7).
Once we have heard the Gospel, we can never unhear it. There is no excuse. The leap ahead into faith may be daunting, but as Sheldon Vanauken put so well, the gap of denial is far worse.
The door sits before us. We all know this. We deceive ourselves, we sidestep the door-step, we delay the lifting of the latch. We distract ourselves with all sorts of things, including our own self-justifications, to avoid assuming the mantel of the majesty intended for us: our king or queenship – the ways in which we actually most deeply desire to be healed, loved, crowned.
Will we open that door? Not only once, into the face of the mystery, but multiple times, over and over again, in the heartbeat of our living? To engage in it, to not deny it, to eventually merge into it, so that the reality that looks too good to be true in fact becomes the only truth we can assert with any real credibility or veracity to actually matter?
In the story to end all stories (and herald the Great Beginning), Jesus tells us: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
A story such as Lewis’ for all children of God urges us to not only answer the knock, but to throw the door open wide … to push past the fur coats of materialism, to keep walking regardless of the denials around us, and to trust in the thaw.
I look at my children’s expectant faces as I crack open the cover.
Aslan is indeed on the move. And he arrives more quickly, we glimpse more fully the glory, when we, like the justified prodigals we each are, rush to meet him on the way.
Lover of God, happy wife, mama to 4, writer, teacher, author of
My dad read The Chronicles of Narnia to us our whole lives. He would read the series to us, take a break for some Tolkien or McDonald, and then return to the beginning of Narnia again. This post means a lot to me as a Christian, a reader, and a daughter with warm memories. I forwarded this to my co-worker, and she wrote back “I love Christians who can write!” Thank you again. I always look forward to reading what you write!
What a kind comment, Elizabeth! Thanks so much. Please give my regards to your co-worker, too :) What wonderful memories you have, a thing to cherish indeed, and inspiring to me as a parent as well. God bless!
My children and I love this story. I love Lucy’s name – Lucy the Valiant. I also love the phrase “Aslan is on the move.”. So good on so many levels. My kids are acting out “The Last Battle” this week; this too is full of so many parallels.
Hope your pregnancy is proceeding well:)! Praying for you.
In Christ,
Jaime
Thanks, Jaime! Getting there with baby, only a few more weeks! I love the idea of acting out the last battle – how terrific. You are such an awesome mom. I have a dear friend by the name of Lucy back in England, and she always reminds me of this Lucy as well.
I didn’t read Narnia until I was a mother. I avoided it as a child because smoeone presented it as an allegory. I didn’t see that it was an allegory, and I still don’t. What I do see is the writing of a man who loved the Lord so much that he gave us pictures and ways to understand God’s truths in a delightful story – just not in a true allegorical sense. I also marvel at how well Lewis told a story for children when he had none of his own. Every time I read a Narnia book, I see something expressed just the way that children think. The books are full of fun children things and spiritual concepts that make you think. I am so glad that my children love them
I agree Sharlene that Lewis indeed had a special gift for appealing to children’s imagination. It’s a wonderful thing, and speaks to adults as well.
This is beautifully written, Caro. When I got to the line “Aslan is on the move,” I had goosebumps. Aslan is such an enduring figure in my life, another way I grew to understand God’s character. I grew up in Wheaton, IL and remember going to the College with my Mom and brother after she read this book to us. They have C.S. Lewis’s wardrobe on display- though, surely not THE wardrobe- and I remember my awe in looking at the piece of furniture that may have inspired him. It’s that same awe when I consider Aslan and even more so God, in what He has done and what He will continue to do.
Thanks, Leigh. There is quite a bit of controversy over the “original” wardrobe – it’s actually quite fascinating. When I taught at Westmont College down in Santa Barbara, they have the claim on the original, too. At the very least, it’s made me look at everyday furniture (and all things!) differently!
I like the way that they can only enter Narnia as children, but once “inside” they grow up to maturity, putting off childish ways. Growing up “outside” prevents entrance, but growing up once “inside” leads to honor and glory. That seems to connect Matthew 18:3-4 with the kind of maturity that Paul is praying for in Philippians 1:9-11 or the pattern he mentions with approval in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (though for a different reason).
Interesting! I hadn’t thought of it that way, but a fascinating connection. And good for all of us “adults” to think about. Thanks David!
For my mom’s 50th birthday, my children acted and we videoed their version of TLTWATW. It was wonderful fun…we still laugh today when we watch it.
What a great idea! We are trying to get better at remembering to make memories that last, too!
“I would argue that the Bible is the necessary foundation of any reading life, first because of its obvious a priori importance to the Christian faith, and thus saving truth relevant to all of humankind. But also second, because of how every piece of literature I have ever encountered resonates with and ultimately upholds Biblical truths.”
I LOVE this! And the inherent encouragement to read broadly for the glory of God. Thank you!
Thank YOU Katy for joining us here, and for the added joy of reading with and for God as well.
Great post! Narnia was a big part of my childhood. I gave one of my daughters the middle name Lucy- partly for Lucy Pevensie, and partly for Lucy Maud Montgomery. :)
So enjoyed this post given that I just finished reading the series to my girls who are 7 and 5. I’m ready to begin a new series and am pushing the Little House books, but my 7-year-old wants to re-read the Chronicles through again. Elizabeth’s idea above was great, though; take a break and then dive in once more. Not to mention that my own faith deepens each time through.
Hello, Caroline.
Greetings from Santa Barbara. I’m happy to report that the wardrobe is back at Westmont College in Deane Hall after being taken on tour for five years!
I recently got to bring some young men back to see the wardrobe again, who had seen it five or six years before in that same location. The fur coats are in the wardrobe and we all imagined the thrill of moving past the coats into Narnia.
I actually didn’t even hear of the Narnia books until I was in college. I came home to find younger siblings reading them and exclaiming over them. It wasn’t until I was out of college with leisure time finally when opened the first book and started in. I still find the first book to be my favorite.
I love the way the final book changed my view of heaven forever, describing it as a place that really satisfied the heart — like no other description of heaven had accomplished.
:)
Jeanne