The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

I thought every style of fantasy novels was explored in my book collection until I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lewis writes stories that play out as dreams. No matter how absurd narratives and characters portrayals of Narnia may be, they succeed as thoughtful children’s novels. “If ever they remembered their life in this world,” Lewis writes “it was as one remembers a dream.” While this text from Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe describes most of Lewis’ books, the first installment of the Chronicles of Narnia still stands as Lewis’s finest.

Among one of the most popular philosophical novelist and children’s authors, C.S. Lewis effectively intertwined science fiction and God at its very best. We owe a great deal of gratitude to his contributions towards children’s novels not merely because of the subtle messages they imply. Lewis’ personal convictions about God are by no means secretive, but his books would read otherwise.

As a Christian apologist, Lewis had vision for prophetic messages that would grab the attention of his readers – Christians especially. His conviction of Christianity – which holds some relevance when critiquing Lewis’ works – is not a misleading conception. It’s hard not to conclude that judgment based on his unique style of storytelling, which commonly invokes a sense of spirituality and serenity in works such as Surprised by Joy and Mere Christianity.  

C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) has roused debates on its religious connotations. It’s argued to reveal prophetic symbols that relate to his Christian beliefs. Lewis’ style of religious archetypes is not immediately conveyed during the first few chapters of the novel. Narnia gradually works its way toward introducing one of the main characters, Aslan the Lion, who claims lordship over Narnia. The use of animals plays a key role in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan himself is seen as a Christ like figure by purposely sacrificing his life to save Edmond, a hard-headed teenage trouble maker. Coincidently, he rises again within a couple of days.

Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of seven books in the Chronicles of Narnia series. The characters are somewhat relatable to Lewis’ past experiences. Set during World War II, we are introduced to four children – Susan, Edmond, Lucy and Peter Pevensie – who are sent to live with Professor Digory Kirke. Like many children in London during World War II, the Pevensies need to escape the German Blitz. Perhaps this is a linkage to C.S. Lewis’ life, as he served in World War I for the British Army and suffered from depression as a result. The youngest of the children, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe in the house sends the children into the land of Narnia. The four companions come cross a faun named “Tumnus” who confesses a secret plot to kill the Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve (another Biblical reference). The master behind this scheme is the “White Witch.” She is supposed to represent purity and honesty in name. By C.S. Lewis’s standards, the Witch symbolizes deceitfulness and discontent.  

            Religious symbolism might be a hidden message in most subtext of C.S. Lewis’ works, but it never becomes clique or preachy. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe doesn’t contain as much of this representation because that’s not its goal, or any of Lewis’ texts for that matter. The greatest misconception is that Lewis’ novels are meant to prophesize. They only reflect the most influential ideas of Lewis’ life that probably inspired him to write.

            Lewis’ first book of The Chronicles of Narnia is worth a read. It’s fast paced, highly imaginative, and makes for the complete children’s novel.