The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

C. Lewis' first novel in The Chronicles of Narnia was published in 1950 and is titled The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. The story is set in the English countryside during World War II. The main characters are siblings named Lucy, Susan, Edmund and Peter. In the story, the children are sent away from their London to escape the Blitz. They are sent to live with Professor Kirke who lives in the English countryside. The professor lives in a huge house and the children spend most of their time entertaining themselves. One day, while exploring and playing in the house, Lucy finds a wardrobe. As she enters the wardrobe she realizes that it does not end like an ordinary wardrobe. Instead, she finds that it leads to the outdoors-but not the outdoors of the English countryside. On the contrary, Lucy finds herself in a snowy land (even though it is summer in England) and comes across a Fawn named Mr. Tumnus. When Mr. Tumnus meets Lucy he asks if she is human by asking if she is a "Daughter of Eve", this Biblical reference helps tell the reader that in this alternate universe, some sort of Western religion is held in some way. This is interesting, because this story is often viewed as an allegory to the story of Jesus' sacrifice. However, between this mention of Adam and Eve and the later emphasis of Christmas, it seems that the creatures in Narnia already have some sort of savior-even if they are about to get another one.

Mr. Tumnus invites Lucy to his house and tells her that she has found the land of Narnia which is now ruled by the White Witch who is "the pretend queen of Narnia". Mr. Tumnus tells Lucy that the White Witch has made it so it is always winter in Narnia, but never Christmas. This statement tells the reader that in this world some sort of Christianity is practiced, more importantly, it shows that Christmas is held as something that is "good" and is viewed as an act of evil to prevent it. Lucy eventually goes back to the Professor's house to realize that no time had passed in her world, although hours had passed in Narnia. She tells her siblings about Narnia but none of them believe her and when she tries to show them, the wardrobe appears to be an ordinary wardrobe. Eventually, Edmund also finds Narnia and meets the White Witch. The White Witch demands that he bring his siblings back to Narnia, in exchange for a sweet called Turkish Delight that seems to have a magical, addictive power to it.

Later, despite the fact that Edmund had seen Narnia, he still tells his siblings that she is making it all up and that Narnia does not exist. This upsets Lucy greatly, until later when all four children enter Narnia together. The children meet a Beaver couple who bring them back to their house. Mr. Beaver tells the four children that a lion named Aslan is coming to Narnia to save Narnia from the White Witch. After this conversation, Edmund sneaks out of the Beavers' house and goes to the White Witch. When he enters the White Witch's house he notices that there are stone figures that were once living creatures that the White Witch turned into stone as punishment. He tells the White Witch about Aslan and his siblings being in Narnia. The White Witch is outraged and leaves with Edmund to fight Aslan. It is clear at this point that the White Witch is evil and Aslan is the only hope for saving Narnia. As Aslan gets closer to Narnia, winter starts to turn into spring and Father Christmas visits Narnia-signaling the weakening of the White Witch's magic.

Eventually, the Beavers and Lucy, Peter and Susan find Aslan who tells them that they are the true kings and queens of Narnia. Aslan then saves Edmund from the White Witch even though the White Witch says that the old magic dictates that Edmund can be killed for betraying his siblings. Reunited, the siblings realize that Aslan has become sad and they are worried that something bad will happen to him. Aslan sneaks out of the camp that night but Lucy and Susan find him and spend the night with him. Soon after, the White Witch and her supporters take Aslan to kill him as Aslan had agreed to trade his life for Edmund's. The White Witch's supports harass Aslan and tie him to the stone table where they kill him. The next day, Lucy and Susan go to the stone table to collect Aslan's body and find him missing. Aslan then appears, risen from the dead. According to Aslan his resurrection was due to magic from the beginning of time that the White Witch was not aware of. This scene is very similar to the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Like Aslan, Jesus is said to have been harassed by his captors and his tomb was found empty after his death-just like how Aslan was missing from the stone table. This section of the story, Aslan's sacrifice, definitely has some allegorical elements to the story of Christ. As I mentioned before, however, Aslan doesn't seem to be a Christ replacement in an alternate universe because Christ is already recognized-at least to some extent, in Narnia. I found this really interesting because this makes it seem less allegorical. However, in terms of children's fiction it does make sense. Because Lewis put the good characters in a Christian light (by referencing Adam and Eve as well as Christmas) it makes it clearer that Aslan's sacrifice is consistent to something that is viewed positively in Christianity. Without mentioning Christianity at all, this connection might be lost on children.

Even though The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was published first, it is not the first in the series. The first book is titled The Magician's Nephew and is about the creation of Narnia by Aslan. I will read this book and blog about it later this week. This novel should shed some more light on Aslan's role in Narnia and his Christ like status that was shown in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.