by Chris Alexion, Copyright July 28, 2006, all rights reserved. 265 views
Since school (along with work) is keeping me pretty busy, I figure I might as well post some relevant papers from my coursework from time to time. This one is from my class on children's lit; I had to write a paper analyzing two children's books in terms of certain criteria. I've edited out the more nerdy stuff about cognitive and social development.
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C. S. Lewis's beloved book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has enthralled generations of readers because it's first and foremost a good story. Lewis knows how to spin a tale that children love, populating it with memorable characters and introducing a heroic battle against evil.
Since Lewis's tale is a fantasy book, the plot is not something that would "really happen." But Lewis uses the fantastic world of Narnia to illuminate real-life themes of sacrifice, faith, and heroism. His story unfolds smoothly, climaxing in the death and resurrection of the lion Aslan, which fits well with the theme of sacrifice already presented in the story. Through Aslan's help the four Pevensie children are able to overcome the evil of the White Witch, a task made even more difficult by the betrayal of Edmund, who temporarily joins the witch's side.
Lewis's characters have a solid and refreshing reality to them. The Pevensie children are the story's heroes, but at the beginning they're not particularly heroic; they represent normal children who fear, love, play, and bicker. Even Lewis's more imaginary characters–fauns, centaurs, and nyads–bring us, like Tolkien's Middle Earth inhabitants, real human characteristics like honesty, sneakiness, or valor. The case of Edmund is a good example of how Lewis takes us inside the motivation of his characters; because of Edmund's desire for recognition and his jealousy of Peter, we're able to understand–though not condone–his betrayal.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe shows us three pictures of the Pevensies (before their trip to Narnia, during their experiences there, and after their victory), allowing us to see how they've grown and changed. For instance, Susan changes from a skeptic to a wholehearted Queen of Narnia, and we learn in a later novel that she has changed again, and cares more about "lipstick and nylons" than about Narnia. Lewis also shows us different sides of his characters. For instance, the witch can be seductively pleasant and cruelly frigid. Edmund has a heroic side beneath his selfishness. Lucy is the most childish of the Pevensies, but also, paradoxically, more mature in faith than her siblings. The different angles from which Lewis presents his characters helps us see their strengths and weaknesses.
Since Narnia is a fictional location, we don't really expect it to match reality. But Lewis is still exact and geographic when mapping out his fantasy world. And his inhabitants definitely seem at home in their land. Lewis's lengthy descriptions also let the reader feel as though he is present with the Pevensie children as they wander through woods or watch devils dance around the Stone Table.
In all this, Lewis has a point. He wants to tell us something. He wants to show us that the world is so much more than we modern and mature adults think–a valuable theme for a world wrapped up in the material. (I've written about this point elsewhere.) Lewis wants us to know that the faith of a child can overcome great evil.
Lewis also accomplishes his goals with a skillful use of language, both in narration and dialogue. His characters speak naturally and believably, and Lewis describes his world and tells his story in an unstilted manner. In doing so, he hasn't simply written a great story. He's incarnated his own vision of life and heroism, and provided an incredible tool for children's development.
1 • Charles Cameron • August 02, 2006 • 7:39 PM
I've just found your blog. It looks interesting. I will return to it. I found it through doing a search for G C Berkouwer. I noticed that, in your post of April 01 2006, you refer to him. I have a blog on his theology - www,theologyofgcberkouwer.blogspot.com I also have another blog of Bible studies - http://www.christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com
I hope you will these blogs of interest.
2 • Eric • August 03, 2006 • 12:10 AM
Ahhh…to hope that my second graders will see such depth in the future as they hear Lewis' timeless words and be able to understand what true valor, honor, courage, humilty and most of all faith is all about. It may not truly sink in for many a year but I know for some it will…since my first exposure to Lewis was as an 8 year old. Thank-you for a wonderful analysis of his work.
Blessings and Peace to you…
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