Narnia

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NARNIA
CONTENTS THE STORY BEHIND
Narnia:The Fantasy
THE STORIES
World Of C. S. Lewis . . . 2

T
he writings of C. S. Lewis
The Man Behind have been translated into
The Stories. . . . . . . . . . . 3 over 30 languages. His
Spiritual Truth books continue to sell more
Clothed In Symbol . . . . . 5 than a million copies a year. The
Parallels Between Chronicles Of Narnia alone have
Aslan And Christ. . . . . . . 7 sold over 100 million copies.
Spiritual Parallels In The So what is it about the
Chronicles Of Narnia . . . 11 celebrated imagination of this
The Magician’s controversial and widely loved
Nephew . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 former atheist and Oxford
The Lion,The Witch, professor of English that has
And The Wardrobe . . . . 15 inspired spirituality and
The Horse intrigued both children and
And His Boy . . . . . . . . . 17 adults for decades?
Prince Caspian . . . . . . . 20 In the following pages, RBC
The Voyage Of Research Editor Dennis Fisher
The Dawn Treader . . . . 22 provides summaries and
The Silver Chair . . . . . . 25 explanations for the Chronicles
that we hope will introduce
The Last Battle. . . . . . . 28
many not only to the world of
An Ongoing Story . . . . 31 Narnia but, more important, to
the story behind the stories.
Martin R. De Haan II
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo:Terry Bidgood
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.
© 2007 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA
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NARNIA: THE by quest, struggle, defeat,


FANTASY WORLD and victory.
But do such stories
OF C. S. LEWIS interest us only because

I
maginary lands of they reflect the common
white knights, maidens themes of the world we live
in distress, and fire- in? Or do they also resonate
breathing dragons may with the spiritual reality of
sound like a child’s world a world beyond our five
of fairy tales and bedtime senses?
stories. But today, the
wonder of fantasy is
capturing the imagination There’s something
of adults as well. in the human
The last episode of
The Lord Of The Rings film
psyche that
trilogy earned 11 Oscars responds to a
and was the second highest world of fantasy
grossing movie of all time.
The Star Wars movies
marked by quest,
have generated billions of struggle, defeat,
dollars by using stunning and victory.
cinemagraphic effects to tell
an ancient story that took
place “long ago, in a galaxy Oxford scholar
far, far away.” C. S. Lewis found echoes
The popularity of these of a spiritual world in
films indicates that there’s ancient stories that
something in the human changed his life forever.
psyche that responds to a After forsaking atheism to
world of fantasy marked become a follower of Christ,
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he developed the use of how different mythologies


fantasy to parallel what he repeated the themes of a
regarded as the ultimate dying and rising god. These
reality. The series of stories varied stories seemed to
he wrote is now known as either anticipate or echo
The Chronicles Of Narnia. the New Testament story
of the Jesus of the Bible.
THE MAN BEHIND Lewis concluded that Jesus’
THE STORIES claims to be a king, His
On November 29, 1898, powers to heal, His wisdom,
Clive Staples Lewis was and His sacrifice, death, and
born in Belfast, Ireland, resurrection were historically
to Albert and Flora Lewis. true and the ultimate story
While he was a small behind all stories.
boy, his mother died of Lewis saw that
cancer. Some believe this what makes the story
heartbreak is what led of Jesus unique is that His
Lewis to become an miraculous life took place
atheist. in real history. As he
But Lewis’ voluminous reflected on the historic
reading and lively reliability of the New
intellectual discussions Testament documents,
with people of faith Lewis found further
eventually caused him reasons to recognize the
to doubt his denial of reality of Jesus’ life. Over
God. He began to wonder time, his atheism began to
if there was more to life crumble and he eventually
than he had thought. became a Christian.
Having read Sir James As a professor of
George Frazer’s The Golden Medieval and Renaissance
Bough, Lewis was struck by Literature at Oxford
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University, Lewis wrote children into their bachelor


in a wide variety of genres: home during the bombing
literary criticism, poetry, of London in World War II.
and formal defenses of the This experience, along
Christian faith. He also with the fact that he had
used a form of fantasy in once taken a special
writing the science fiction interest in a picture of
Space Trilogy (Out Of The a mythical faun carrying a
Silent Planet, Perelandra, bundle of packages in a
and That Hideous Strength) snowstorm, became
to illustrate Christian the seed thoughts of a
principles. In this Trilogy, children’s story filled with
he dealt with what he Christian symbolism and
saw as the dehumanizing literary allusions. The
trends in modern science by result, almost 10 years
dramatizing his arguments later, was The Lion, The
for moral absolutes that Witch, And The Wardrobe.
he had previously written Six other books exploring
about in The Abolition the fantasy world of
Of Man. Narnia would follow.
Lewis’ creative writing Lewis may not have
skills did not stop with intended to create seven
these genres. He became children’s books, nor did
interested in writing fantasy he plan to include insights
on a level that even a child from the Bible in each. But
could understand. This by the time he finished The
desire seems to have come Chronicles Of Narnia, that’s
from a combination of what he had done.
experiences. In 1939, he Like his friend
and his brother Warren J. R. R. Tolkien, who
agreed to take several wrote The Lord Of The
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Rings trilogy, C. S. Lewis observations, Lewis created


believed that well-written Narnia, a parallel world
fantasy could provide fresh that could be entered by
insights into the meaning of several different means—a
life. As David C. Downing wardrobe, magic rings, or
observes in his book Into an enchanted horn.
The Wardrobe: He designed this side-by-
Lewis believed that . . . side existence so that the
all readers . . . share experience of time could be
deeply embedded images different than our own. In
and meanings that are the world he created, a few
evoked in myths, days as we know them
legends, stories, and could span long epochs in
even dreams. For Lewis, Narnian time. As a result,
a well-constructed story the same children from
draws upon these our world could, in The
universal images and Chronicles Of Narnia,
meanings. Much of the witness the creation, the
thematic richness of the entrance of evil into the
Chronicles derives from world, the rescue provided
Lewis’ skill in drawing through a sacrificial death
on mythic patterns—the and resurrection, and the
god who dies and comes re-creation of a new
back to life, the voyage world in its place.
to the end of the earth,
the flight to freedom, SPIRITUAL
the rescue of captives TRUTH CLOTHED
from the underworld, the IN SYMBOL
beginning and the end of In spite of the many
all created things (p.34). Christian symbols built
On the basis of such into the world of Narnia,
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we must not jump to event in the Chronicles


the conclusion that Lewis does not necessarily have
intended all the elements a symbolic meaning, the
of The Chronicles Of Narnia books do contain striking
to have a deeper, symbolic, parallels with the spiritual
allegorical meaning. Instead, principles of the Bible.
Lewis considered Narnia to
be a “supposal.” As Lewis
explained in a letter: We must not
[Aslan] is an invention
giving an imaginary
jump to the
answer to the question, conclusion that
“What might Christ Lewis intended
become like, if there
really were a world like
all the elements
Narnia and He chose to of The Chronicles
incarnate and die and Of Narnia to have
rise again in that world
as He actually has done
a deeper, symbolic,
in ours?” (p.96, A Field allegorical meaning.
Guide To Narnia by
Colin Duriez).
This great “supposal” Lewis showed that
of how Christ might have fantasy could provide
behaved if He had become mental images and ideas
a lion in a land of talking that parallel the story of
animals allowed Lewis Christ as the caring Creator,
to repackage Christian compassionate King, risen
themes in a fresh new Savior, and faithful Friend.
way. Even though each Because these images are so
character, place, and essential in understanding
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The Chronicles Of Narnia, see that a mysterious lion


it’s especially important to is the singer. When Narnia’s
see how Lewis develops this creation is complete, Aslan,
fictional portrayal of Aslan, the great lion and Narnia’s
the great lion. creator, gives the gift of
speech to animals and then
PARALLELS celebrates with his creation:
BETWEEN ASLAN “Creatures, I give you
AND CHRIST yourselves,” said the
Aslan is the creator and strong, happy voice
sovereign of the parallel of Aslan. “I give to
world of Narnia. Even you forever this land
though Aslan is a lion, of Narnia. I give you
Lewis uses fantasy to give the woods, the fruits,
him personality and powers the rivers. I give you
unmistakably characteristic the stars, and I give
of the New Testament you myself” (p.71, The
portrait of Jesus Christ. Chronicles Of Narnia).
The Caring Creator. The parallel between
In The Magician’s Nephew, Aslan and Jesus Christ
Digory and his friend Polly as Creator is clearly
use special rings to pass intentional. Lewis is
into other universes. In obviously following the
one instance, they are words of the gospel writer
transported to a place where John who tells us: “All
they witness the creation of a things were made through
new world. In the darkness, [Christ], and without Him
a beautiful voice sings stars nothing was made that was
into existence followed by made” (Jn. 1:3). As the Jesus
a newly created sunrise. of the Bible is the powerful
In the morning light, they Creator of heaven and
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earth, so Aslan is the “Then he isn’t safe?”


sovereign creator in Narnia. said Lucy. “Safe?” said
The Compassionate Mr. Beaver; “Don’t you
King. In The Lion, The hear what Mrs. Beaver
Witch, And The Wardrobe, tells you? Who said
the four Pevensie children anything about safe?
—Peter, Susan, Edmund, ’Course he isn’t safe. But
and Lucy—discover he’s good. He’s the King,
entrance into Narnia I tell you” (p.146, The
through a wardrobe closet. Chronicles Of Narnia).
Not long after their arrival, In portraying a lion as
the children are greeted by the king of Narnia, Lewis
a talking beaver. To their creates a parallel to the
surprise, the children learn Bible’s messianic reference
that animals in Narnia can to the Lion of Judah.
talk. They are told by Mr. Revelation, the last book
Beaver that Narnia is under of the New Testament, says
the spell of a wicked witch that at the end of the world
who makes it “always winter the Lion of Judah will bring
and never Christmas.” Yet judgment on the earth by
Mr. Beaver assures the opening a sealed scroll.
children that there’s hope. The apostle John declared:
They have received reports “Behold, the Lion of the
that Aslan, the great lion, tribe of Judah, the Root
“is on the move.” Having of David, has prevailed to
never heard of him, the open the scroll and to loose
children are strangely its seven seals” (Rev. 5:5).
excited and fearfully Like Aslan, the Lord Jesus
curious. They wonder how isn’t safe (tame or under
safe they might feel in the our control), but He is
presence of the great lion: good.
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The Risen Savior. In goes back only to the


The Lion, The Witch, And dawn of time. But if
The Wardrobe, Edmund is she could have looked
enslaved by the evil White a little further back, into
Witch when he eats an the stillness and the
enchanted candy called darkness before time
Turkish Delight. In a vain dawned, she would have
attempt to feed his craving, read there a different
Edmund is willing to betray incantation. She would
his brother and sisters to have known that when
the White Witch. Aslan a willing victim who had
meets with the witch and committed no treachery
offers to die in place of the was killed in a traitor’s
traitor to satisfy, by some stead, the table would
deep magic, a requirement crack and death itself
of ancient Narnian law. would start working
After suffering cruelly backwards” (p.185, The
at the hands of the White Chronicles Of Narnia).
Witch and her followers, The sacrifice of Aslan to
Aslan is killed on a great break the power of the deep
stone table. But at sunrise, magic of the witch finds a
Aslan comes back to life and historical, real-life parallel
appears to Susan and Lucy. in the New Testament
When Susan asks what it all gospel of Luke. There
means, he answers: we find an account of the
“It means,” said Aslan, resurrected Jesus explaining
“that though the witch the meaning of His own
knew the deep magic, resurrection:
there is a magic deeper Thus it is written, and
still which she did not thus it was necessary for
know. Her knowledge the Christ to suffer and
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to rise from the dead to know me by that


the third day, and name. This was the very
that repentance and reason why you were
remission of sins should brought to Narnia, that
be preached in His name by knowing me here for
(Lk. 24:46-47). a little, you may know
The New Testament me better there” (p.541,
teaches that Christ’s The Chronicles Of
death and resurrection Narnia).
has provided redemption In this passage, Lewis
for all who believe (Rom. uses Aslan to parallel the
3:23; 6:23; Ti. 3:5). And, Jesus of the New Testament
like Edmund, all of us are who said:
rebels in need of forgiveness No longer do I call you
(Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Pet. 3:18). servants, for a servant
The Faithful Friend. does not know what his
In The Voyage Of The Dawn master is doing; but I
Treader, Aslan tells Lucy have called you friends,
and Edmund that they for all things that I heard
won’t be returning to from My Father I have
Narnia. They respond with made known to you
tears but are assured that (Jn. 15:15).
they will see Aslan again In these four portraits
in their own world: of Aslan, Lewis offers an
“But you shall meet me, imaginary parallel with clear
dear one,” said Aslan. portraits of Christ as Creator,
“Are—are you there too, King, Savior, and Friend.
Sir?” said Edmund. “I But what other biblical
am,” said Aslan. “But parallels can we find in
there I have another The Chronicles Of Narnia?
name. You must learn To answer that question,
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we must turn our attention or “little one” or


to each book in the series by name is a lasting,
and examine the story cherished blessing;
behind the stories. to be rebuked by him
is an everlasting shame.
SPIRITUAL Whom he praises with
an earthshaking “well
PARALLELS IN done” remains forever
THE CHRONICLES favored; whom he
OF NARNIA blames or punishes is

O
bserving how humbled in the hope of
characters respond an enduring change of
to Aslan, the Christ heart. Though he is
symbol, is the key to finding wild—that is, all-
the story behind the stories powerful and free—he
of Narnia. These relational delights to be at the
insights are rooted in the center of the dance
dominant role of Aslan in of those whom he has
the Chronicles. Narnia made; he welcomes the
scholar Paul F. Ford help of others, both
observes: beast and human, to
The beholding of accomplish his plans;
[Aslan’s] beautiful and he is the very often
face sustains one all unnoticed storyteller
one’s days, and the behind every person’s
recognition of that face story, guarding the
with love and awe at the privacy of each, keeping
end of time opens out faith with all (p.55,
onto an eternity of joy. Companion To Narnia).
To be addressed by Bound together by this
him as “dear heart” overarching theme, The
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Chronicles Of Narnia are dominated by a mixture


comprised of seven books. of truth and lies.
Each contains a distinct • The Last Battle brings
chapter in the saga of a climax to the series
Narnian history, with by showing us a
spiritual parallels to our dramatic picture of
own world: good overcoming evil.
• The Magician’s Nephew With that background,
provides us with the let’s take a step closer to
origins of Narnia. the fantasy and wonder that
• The Lion, The Witch, And has made The Chronicles Of
The Wardrobe shows the Narnia a classic in English
rescue of that world. literature.
• The Horse And His Boy
explores issues of pride THE MAGICIAN’S
and prejudice. NEPHEW
• Prince Caspian illustrates It’s best to begin reading
different attitudes toward The Chronicles Of Narnia by
the nature of truth as it’s starting with The Magician’s
contained in an ancient, Nephew. Although it was
imperishable story. the sixth book published,
• The Voyage Of The Dawn it gives insight into the
Treader contains various whole series. It describes,
portraits of opportunities for example, the creation
and perils in life’s of Narnia, explains the
journey. entrance of evil, and
• The Silver Chair shows foreshadows Narnia’s
the importance of eventual restoration.
following God’s Setting. This tale
instructions in the begins in England, takes us
midst of a world to the dying planet of Charn,
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and then transports us to newly created land of


Narnia, a new world being Narnia from the evil
created by a mysterious influence of the witch.
lion named Aslan. Obediently, the children
Plot Summary. An bring back the apples to the
eccentric magician tricks lion, who grants the boy
his young nephew and a permission to take one with
little girl into using magic him back to England. When
rings to go from earth to the boy’s dying mother eats
another world where they the fruit, she is healed. The
encounter the White Witch. apple core is planted in the
The two children briefly backyard and eventually
return to earth where they grows into a tree. Later,
meet a cabby and his horse. after the tree blows down
Along with the magician in a storm, its wood is
and the witch, they are all used to construct a magical
then transported to a place wardrobe that becomes a
where they view the world portal into Narnia in The
of Narnia being created. Lion, The Witch, And The
Together the group Wardrobe.
watches as a mysterious Spiritual Parallels.
lion sings stars, plants, and The Magician’s Nephew
animals into being. After illustrates the biblical theme
creation, this great lion tells of creation. The song of
the boy and girl that evil Aslan brings wonder and
has entered his world with awe as he creates sun,
the White Witch who has moon, stars, and all living
come with them. things. These events track
The lion then sends the with what the Bible tells us
children to acquire silver when it says of Jesus Christ:
apples that will protect this All things were made
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through Him, and without In addition, The


Him nothing was made Magician’s Nephew also
that was made (Jn. 1:3). pictures the entrance of
The apostle Paul provides evil into a beautiful world,
a similar view of creation: marring it with sin. This
[Christ] is the image of happens when the children
the invisible God, the inadvertently transport the
firstborn over all creation. White Witch to Narnia
For by Him all things were from her own dying world.
created that are in heaven Her twisted desire for power
and that are on earth, drives her to dominate the
visible and invisible . . . . newly created world.
All things were created Those familiar with the
through Him and for story of the Bible will easily
Him (Col. 1:15-16). see similarities between
This parallels the story the White Witch and the
behind the creation story biblical record of Lucifer.
of The Magician’s Nephew. According to Old Testament
According to the New prophets, Lucifer seems to
Testament, it was the King of have been a beautiful but
kings who spoke into being rebellious archangel whose
galaxies, stars, planets, and own self-importance resulted
life on our world. The song in the spiritual disease of
that the stars echo back pride (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek.
to their creator in Narnia 28:14-15). Like the White
is reminiscent of Job’s Witch, Lucifer, also known
exclamation about creation, as Satan, approached our
“when the morning stars original parents and tempted
sang together, and all the them to eat from the tree of
sons of God shouted for the knowledge of good and
joy” (Job 38:7). evil (Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7).
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Since then, a curse has which eventually transports


plagued our relationships, each of them to the magical
our world, and our access world of Narnia.
to God (Gen. 3:8-24). Plot Summary. To
In this way, The protect them from London’s
Magician’s Nephew sets bombing during World War
the stage for the theme II, the Pevensie children—
of rescue and personal Peter, Susan, Edmund, and
restoration that is central Lucy—are sent to stay in
to the plot of The Lion, The a professor’s home. There
Witch, And The Wardrobe. they discover an enchanted
wardrobe, which transports
THE LION, them to Narnia, a place
THE WITCH, AND where a witch has caused
THE WARDROBE it to be “always winter
This book, which is by far and never Christmas.”
the most well-known of the The witch approaches
series, is the first written Edmund, the youngest
and first published of the brother, and tempts him
Chronicles. Lewis uses its with enchanted candy and
pages to portray themes of promises of power if he
evil, treachery, addiction, will betray his siblings.
loyalty, self-sacrifice, and At a key point in the
rescue. story, the evil White Witch
Setting. The first part turns on Edmund and cites
of the story takes place in an ancient law of Narnia
a professor’s country home that gives her the right
in England. When four to execute him. She
children play hide-and- demands that Aslan turn
seek, one of them discovers the traitorous Edmund over
a mysterious wardrobe, to her so she can put him
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to death. But Aslan offers personification of evil, the


his own life as a substitute witch symbolizes how the
for Edmund’s. devil personally tries to
After being killed on a control our own world
stone table, Aslan comes (1 Jn. 5:19; cp. 2:15-17).
back to life and enables In this story, the White
the children to defeat the Witch has heard of a
White Witch and restore prophecy in which two
his kingdom. Delegating his sons of Adam and two
authority, the great lion puts daughters of Eve break
the children on thrones as her spell over Narnia.
kings and queens of Narnia. In an effort to disrupt
Later, as young adults, the prediction, she tries
they go back through the to ensnare Edmund, the
wardrobe to earth, only to youngest brother, by
find that little time has addicting him to an
elapsed and they are enchanted candy called
children again. Turkish Delight. The candy
Spiritual Parallels. is a powerful picture of the
The Lion, The Witch, And seductive power of evil to
The Wardrobe beautifully capture and control the
illustrates the biblical human heart. Edmund
theme of substitutionary is willing to betray his
atonement and redemption brother and sisters if only
(2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; to have another bite of
Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18). the delicacy he craves.
In Narnia, the White Witch The story behind
acts as an evil usurper this story is found in the
who seeks to dominate Bible, which describes the
her subjects and destroy inclination of a race of
all opposition. As a people who are enslaved
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to their own wrongs. Aslan’s sacrifice


Without Christ’s rescue symbolizes the Bible’s own
they are prone to make drama of substitutionary
choices “fulfilling the atonement and redemption
desires of the flesh and through the life, death, and
of the mind” (Eph. 2:3). resurrection of the King of
kings. The Scripture portrays
Jesus as the Sovereign Lord
Turkish Delight who rescues us from the sin
is a powerful of choosing our own selfish
way instead of following
picture of the Him (Mk. 10:45).
seductive power
of evil to capture THE HORSE
AND HIS BOY
and control the This is the third tale in the
human heart. chronological history of
Narnia, even though it was
the fifth book of the series
Aslan, who reenters his to be published. The title
rightful kingdom of Narnia The Horse And His Boy
to reestablish his authority, offers a humorous twist by
rescues Edmund from portraying a horse as the
the clutches of the White owner of a human child. By
Witch. Through an act of developing this reversal of
self-sacrifice, Aslan gives roles, Lewis illustrates the
his own life in behalf of the perils of personal pride in a
traitorous little boy who fresh and new way. Each
followed his own desires person or talking animal
and betrayed the trust of that struggles with vanity
his siblings. finds different ways of
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dealing with it through horses are originally from


Aslan’s help. Narnia and are therefore
Setting. The story able to talk. On their
takes place 14 Narnian journey, they hear of a
years after the events of plot to conquer Archenland
The Lion, The Witch, And and invade Narnia. Aided
The Wardrobe. Peter, Susan, by a mysterious lion, the
Edmund, and Lucy are still children and the horses
ruling Narnia. Most of are able to warn the nobles
the book occurs in the hot of Archenland and prevent
desert land of Calormen to the invasion.
the south of Narnia where Through these events,
the main characters escape Shasta discovers his true
and seek freedom in Narnia royal identity. He later
to the north. marries Princess Aravis and
Plot Summary. together they eventually
Shasta, an infant prince become the king and queen
of Archenland (an allied of Archenland.
nation of Narnia that Spiritual Parallels.
protects its southern border), In The Horse And His Boy,
is kidnapped and raised to the talking stallion, Bree,
boyhood by a fisherman in struggles with issues of
the land of Calormen far pride and vanity. He views
to the south. In that land, himself as an experienced
a high-born Calormene war horse and looks down
princess named Aravis on Shasta as if he were
is fleeing an unwanted a human foal in need
arranged marriage. of riding lessons. And
Together, Shasta and whenever the shy and wise
Aravis flee to Narnia in the mare, Hwin, expresses her
north on horseback. Their opinions, the arrogant
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stallion belittles her and arrogant spirit within the


claims superior skill and heart of Aravis, the young
courage. princess. Her growth in
At a key point in the humility illustrates the
story, however, when this biblical idea that one of the
proud war horse hears the remedies to an exaggerated
roar of a lion, he flees like a view of self is to take an
coward, leaving Aravis and interest in the gifts and
Hwin unprotected. Later, accomplishments of others.
when Bree meets the The apostle Paul wrote:
great lion face to face, Let nothing be done
the stallion admits that through selfish ambition
he has been a prideful and or conceit, but in
frightened failure. The lion lowliness of mind let each
praises him for recognizing esteem others better than
his shortcomings. himself. Let each of you
Life has a way of look out not only for his
exposing the flaw of own interests, but also for
personal vanity. Bree’s the interests of others
actions are an illustration of (Phil. 2:3-4).
Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes Because Aravis was
before destruction, and a high-born and accustomed
haughty spirit before a fall.” to being served, she had
In contrast, a modest spirit become arrogant and
before both God and man demanding. But her
can become a carrier of interactions with the talking
wisdom to others: “When horses helped her to learn
pride comes, then comes to esteem them as fellow
shame; but with the humble rational beings—riding but
is wisdom” (Prov. 11:2). never exploiting them.
Lewis also traces an Initially, Aravis looked
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down on Shasta as a ancient story of Narnia will


common horse thief. But shape the heart and future
after seeing his bravery and of each character.
loyalty, she apologized for Setting. Many years
her condescending attitude. have passed since the
Pride must give way to a conclusion of The Lion,
teachable spirit if it is ever The Witch, And The
to be conquered. Pride is Wardrobe, and Narnia
wrong because it ignores has fallen under the cruel
the truth that all natural rule of a tyrant and his
abilities and spiritual gifts taskmasters.
are given by God. Plot Summary.
In earth time, it has been
PRINCE CASPIAN only a year since the four
Prince Caspian was the children had visited Narnia
second book written, as through the wardrobe. Yet
a sequel to The Lion, The in Narnian time, over 1,000
Witch, And The Wardrobe. years have passed. Old
But it’s the fourth book in Narnians still cling to the
Narnia’s chronological ancient story of the great
history. lion and how he established
Prince Caspian illustrates four children on thrones as
how an ancient story that is kings and queens.
considered by some to be a A tyrant named Miraz
fable may in fact be true. is now on the throne. He
The story showcases the is the leader of a race
idea that just because a descended from human
story is ancient doesn’t pirates who stumbled into
mean that it has no basis Narnia centuries earlier.
in reality. In this book, the His young nephew, Prince
acceptance or denial of the Caspian, hears stories of
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Narnia’s golden age from of their own past. A


his nanny and longs for recurrent theme in this
its return. But his uncle book is the contrasting
dismisses these stories denial and affirmation of
as fairy tales. the ancient stories of
Caspian, seeking to Narnia.
restore the old Narnia, The story behind this
blows an enchanted horn, book is evident. Many
which summons the four people today deny the
children from earth to help. ancient stories of the
When they arrive, they see Bible. They consider the
a world where their own record of Jesus Christ to
past reign is a distant
memory. Working with
the young prince and Many people
the great lion, the four
children overthrow Miraz today . . . consider
and replace him with the record of
Caspian as the ruler. Jesus Christ
Spiritual Parallels.
Stories about the golden to be a myth, a
age of Narnia are denied made-up series
by the tyrant Miraz and his of implausible
taskmasters. Their contempt
for the old stories of Narnia accounts that
is directly linked to their were embellished
fear of the possible return with miracles long
of Aslan, its sovereign lord.
By contrast, when the four after His death.
children return to Narnia,
they recall vivid memories
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be a myth, a made-up THE VOYAGE


series of implausible OF THE DAWN
accounts that were TREADER
embellished with miracles The Voyage Of The Dawn
long after His death. Treader provides the fifth
Within just a few chronological tale of Narnia
decades of Jesus’ life, the but was the third in the
apostle Peter felt compelled series to be published.
to put in writing his own Several characters in this
record as an eyewitness: story picture the trials and
We did not follow rewards of life’s quest, an
cunningly devised fables adventure filled with both
when we made known to promise and peril. These
you the power and coming complex characters show us
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that no one is exempt from
but were eyewitnesses of danger or opportunity.
His majesty (2 Pet. 1:16). Setting. The story
The apostle said that takes place aboard a
his view of Jesus’ power Narnian sailing ship called
and majesty were not the Dawn Treader and on a
based on invented stories number of islands visited
but on what he saw on the by the ship’s crew.
Mount of Transfiguration Plot Summary.
(vv.17-18; cp. Mt. 17:1-9). Prince Caspian of Narnia
Prince Caspian illustrates has become king. He sets
different attitudes toward out on a voyage to find
truths contained in an seven lords of Narnia who
ancient but imperishable disappeared while exploring
story. How individuals the Eastern Sea. Edmund
respond determines their and Lucy, accompanied
destiny. by their spoiled and
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obnoxious cousin Eustace, and victories on life’s


are summoned from their journey. How they
world to help with the respond to Aslan in
quest. They enter Narnia the midst of their moral
by falling into an enchanted choices illustrates the
painting of a sailing ship perils and the rewards
that becomes real. of a pilgrimage of faith.
Aboard the ship is In one compelling
Caspian, his crew, and the scene, Lewis illustrates the
2-foot-tall Reepicheep, the spiritual principle that true
fearless and courageous transformation can come
chief of the Talking Mice. only from the work of Christ
Together they visit various in our lives and not through
islands on their journey our own self-effort. On
east. In the course of their one of the islands, Eustace
adventure, they encounter seeks shelter in a cave, not
slave traders, a dragon, a realizing that it’s a dragon’s
pool that turns everything lair filled with gold and
into gold, and a sea jewels. When he sees the
serpent. treasure, he greedily puts
When the ship comes in on a gold bracelet and
view of the coast of Aslan’s stuffs jewels in his pockets.
country, Reepicheep paddles Eustace eventually falls
toward it on his own little asleep on his pile of loot,
boat with eager anticipation. dreaming of his newfound
Spiritual Parallels. riches. When he wakes up,
During their quest aboard however, he discovers that
the dragon-shaped sailing he’s turned into a dragon!
ship, the main characters After some time spent
illustrate a variety of as a dragon, he has an
motivations, temptations, encounter with a talking lion
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who tells him to undress short, however, by an


(remove his skin) and bathe appearance by Aslan.
in a well of water to ease the Here the fantasy world
pain from the gold bracelet of Lewis the storyteller
that was digging into his leg. illustrates how unrestrained
Eustace tries three times greed can lead to death.
unsuccessfully to scratch off Lewis signals the effect
his dragon skin until the lion of unchecked desire in the
tells him, “You will have to name that Reepicheep gives
let me undress you.” the island: Deathwater.
Having his skin ripped All of this echoes the
off by the lion’s claws is the story behind the story.
most painful thing Eustace It was Jesus who asked,
has ever experienced. But “What profit is it to a man
when the lion is done if he gains the whole world,
bathing him and dressing and loses his own soul?”
him with new clothes, he is (Mt. 16:26). The life of faith
not only a boy again but is is a journey in which we
transformed inside as well. learn that eternal values far
When he is reunited with outweigh temporal gain.
his cousins and the rest of Reepicheep the mouse
the crew, they all notice his joined the quest not only
inner change. to help Caspian look for
On another island, a the seven lost lords, but
pool is discovered that also to seek Aslan’s country.
turns everything into gold. At the end of their journey,
Caspian becomes obsessed when the ship arrived at
by the wealth that could be the World’s End, he
acquired by the king who lowered his own little
owns that island. His boat and enthusiastically
greedy plans are cut rowed toward Aslan’s
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country without fear with the truth. This book


or apprehension. This teaches the eternal lesson of
courageous warrior-mouse moral discernment and the
illustrates the “other worldly” need for courageous
orientation of the life of faith. commitment.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Our Setting. The Silver
citizenship is in heaven” Chair primarily takes
(Phil. 3:20). Reepicheep’s place in the land of giants,
life was filled with meaning, gnomes, and the evil queen
adventure, and joy in of Underland to the far
seeking his eternal home. north of Narnia. The story
occurs at the end of King
THE SILVER CHAIR Caspian’s reign as he is
Although it was the fourth preparing to die.
book to be published, The Plot Summary.
Silver Chair unfolds the Prince Rilian, the son of
sixth chronological tale of the elderly king of Narnia,
Narnia. It’s only one of two has been kidnapped and
in the series in which none missing for 10 years. King
of the Pevensie children Caspian wants desperately,
appear (the other being before he dies, to find his
The Magician’s Nephew). long-lost son.
The Silver Chair illustrates To help with the search,
the battle that is constantly Aslan transports Eustace
being waged against the (from The Voyage Of The
forces of evil for the control Dawn Treader) and Jill, one
of our minds. It also pictures of his school friends, to
the enslavement that occurs Narnia and commissions
when the half-truths, them to go on a quest to
distortions, and lies of the find Prince Rilian. He gives
evil one are not replaced Jill specific instructions and
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signs that they are to But they overcome her


follow, regardless of what enchantment and kill her—
their logic tells them. after she turns into her true
The boy and girl are form as a poisonous
joined on their journey by serpent.
Puddleglum, a tall green The prince returns to see
creature called a marsh- his father, who soon dies.
wiggle. Their journey brings Eustace and Jill are
them into the underground then transported to Aslan’s
kingdom of the evil queen, country where they see the
where the kidnapped prince dead King Caspian brought
is under a strong spell of back to life and rejuvenated
amnesia. He can only to his youthful self after
remember his former life Aslan uses a great drop of
for an hour each night. But blood from his paw.
he can’t escape because he Spiritual Parallels.
is always bound to a silver When Aslan sent Jill and
chair during this hour when Eustace to find Prince
his memory returns. On Rilian, he gave Jill four signs
one such occasion, the to look for along the way.
prince evokes the name She was to memorize them
of Aslan, and the children and review them daily. But
understand their shared Jill’s lack of attention to
loyalty to the great lion and Aslan’s command almost
free him from the chair. cost them the successful
The evil queen of completion of their quest.
Underland tries to mix Jill’s tendency to forget
truth and falsehood with parallels our own journey in
her soothing voice to bring life. The Bible admonishes
the prince and his rescuers us to remember and to
back under her control. follow God’s counsel and
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instruction. This is the key against the enemy of our


to experiencing His presence souls (Eph. 6:10-18).
and goodness in our lives
(Ps. 119:9-11; Jn. 14:21).
The evil queen of Affirming the
Underland used alluring truth that God
lies and deceptions to
confuse Prince Rilian and has revealed in
his rescuers and to bring Scripture is the
them under her control. In best defense
a similar way, evil often
questions truth and affirms against the enemy
lies. Satan’s method in the of our souls.
Garden of Eden was to
question what God said,
deny it, and then replace it At the end of The Silver
with his own false claims Chair, Jill and Eustace are
(Gen. 3:1-7). transported to Aslan’s
Jesus said of this same country, where they
deceiver: “When he [Satan] witness the resurrection
speaks a lie, he speaks from and transformation of King
his own resources, for he is Caspian. This parallels the
a liar and the father of it” truth that followers of Christ
(Jn. 8:44). are promised a new and
Just as Prince Rilian and indestructible body beyond
the children overcame the the grave (1 Cor. 15:42-54).
wicked queen by affirming The King of kings and
the truth and the reality of Lord of lords “will transform
Aslan, so affirming the truth our lowly body that it
that God has revealed in may be conformed to His
Scripture is the best defense glorious body” (Phil. 3:21).
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THE LAST BATTLE Plot Summary. A


The Last Battle provides a devious ape named Shift
conclusion to the tales of finds an old lion’s skin and
Narnia. This book shows persuades his simple-minded
evil masquerading as good. follower, a donkey named
The story ends in an epic Puzzle, to wear the skin to
battle, the defeat of evil, look like Aslan. The ape then
and the creation of a new forms an alliance with
world. Narnia’s traditional enemies.
This last book of Together they set out on a
the Chronicles also deals brutal policy of cutting down
with the ultimate reality talking trees and enslaving
of death and hints at what talking animals—all by order
those who are in Christ of Shift, who claims to be the
will experience beyond mouthpiece of Aslan.
the grave. Whether Tirian, the present king
transformed into a new of Narnia, hears what’s
state to enter a new world, happening in his kingdom
or experiencing death to get and can’t believe that Aslan
there, The Last Battle points would command such
the way into a joy-filled treatment of his loyal
eternity. subjects. When he goes to
Setting. The Last Battle investigate, he’s captured
takes place during the final and cries out to the real
days of Narnia. It’s been Aslan for help. Aslan
over 200 years since King transports Eustace and Jill
Rilian died, and now Tirian, (the boy and girl from The
the seventh king since Silver Chair) from their
Rilian, is on the throne. world to help King Tirian
Aslan hasn’t appeared in escape and put a stop to
Narnia for many years. the atrocities taking place.
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A great battle for Narnia will and promotes himself.


follows and is won by Once again we hear
Aslan’s army. The children echoes of the story behind
despair as they see Aslan the stories of Narnia. The
command their beloved devil, described in the
Narnia to come to an end. Scriptures as the enemy of
Aslan then judges the God, is in the business of
inhabitants of Narnia before imitating God. His goal is
inviting the children and his to “be like the Most High”
other loyal subjects into a (Isa. 14:12-15; cp. Ezek.
new Narnia that he has 28:14-16). One day in the
created. The children are future, human history as
delighted to find that the we know it will come to an
new Narnia actually feels end. Just prior to the end,
much like England and the Satan will try to control the
old Narnia—but that it is world with his own human
inexpressibly better. substitute, the Antichrist,
Spiritual Parallels. and his mouthpiece, the
The Last Battle borrows false prophet, who will
many themes from the deceive the world “with
Bible’s view of the future all power, signs, and lying
of our world. Shift’s name wonders” (2 Th. 2:9).
indicates his manipulative Shift the ape was not
nature. Clearly the one satisfied with the lie that a
in control over the Aslan donkey in a lion’s pelt was
impostor, he refers to the real Aslan. He made
himself as “Lord Shift, the other false claims. When
mouthpiece of Aslan.” The he was questioned about
purpose of Shift’s devious his relationship with the
plan becomes obvious as followers of the false god
he opposes the real Aslan’s Tash, he replied:
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Tash is only another be overcome and followed


name for Aslan. All that by the final judgment (Rev.
old idea of us being right 20:10-15).
and [them being] . . . Then, just as Lewis’ old
wrong is silly. We know Narnia was swept away and
better now. [They] use replaced by a new one, our
different words but we heaven and earth will be
all mean the same thing. destroyed and replaced.
Tash and Aslan are only The apostle John, in the
two different names for last book of the Bible, saw
you know who (p.685, “a new heaven and a new
The Chronicles Of earth, for the first heaven
Narnia). and the first earth had
This kind of false passed away” (Rev. 21:1).
teaching is heard in many
different forms today. It’s
often said that, “We all Just as Lewis’
worship the same God old Narnia was
but only by different
names.” But the Bible
swept away and
says, “There is one God replaced by a new
and one Mediator between one, our heaven
God and men, the Man
Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).
and earth will be
Narnia’s last battle destroyed and
is suggestive of the final replaced.
conflict between God and
Satan that the Bible calls
Armageddon (Rev. 16:16; The new Narnia was
19:17-21). After this filled and overflowing with
titanic struggle, evil will life. Those who entered
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were invited to “Come example, when Aslan gives


further up, come further his life for the traitorous
in!” (p.760, The Chronicles Edmund, it gives us a
Of Narnia). This is a picture different perspective of
of the future adventures all Christ’s personal sacrifice
those who enter the new for our own redemption.
heaven and earth will have As various Narnian
with their King of kings and characters are helped by
Lord of lords. the great lion in dealing
with sins of pride and
lust, we find in Christ a
AN ONGOING longsuffering Lord who
STORY graciously transforms the

T
he story behind yielded heart into greater
The Chronicles Of obedience.
Narnia is a love Finally, the anticipation
story. By watching Aslan, of a new Narnia helps us
we are reminded of the recapture the anticipation
heart of the One who of being with the Lord Jesus
died for us and rose in a new world where new
bodily from the dead to adventures await us.
be declared as the King That’s the message of
and Savior of all who The Chronicles Of Narnia,
will trust Him. The Bible and that is why they will
proclaims that the Lord endure in challenging the
Jesus Christ is our Creator, mind and stirring the hearts
King, Savior, and Friend. of children and adults alike.
The Chronicles help At the end of the last
us appreciate with a fresh book we hear the great
understanding the real story lion say:
behind the stories. For “The [school] term is
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over. The holidays SUGGESTED


have begun. The dream READING
is ended. This is the The Chronicles Of Narnia
morning.” And as He by C. S. Lewis (New York:
spoke, He no longer Harper Collins, 1982).
looked to them like a Inside Narnia by Devin
lion; but the things that Brown (Grand Rapids:
began to happen after Baker Books, 2005).
that were so great and Finding God In The Land
beautiful that I cannot Of Narnia by Kurt Bruner
write them. And for us and Jim Ware (Carol Stream:
this is the end of all the Tyndale House, 2005).
stories, and we can most A Family Guide To
truly say that they all Narnia by Christin
lived happily ever after. Ditchfield (Wheaton:
But for them it was only Crossways, 2003).
the beginning of the real Into The Wardrobe
story. All their life in by David C. Downing
this world and all their (San Francisco: Jossey-
adventures in Narnia Bass, 2005).
had only been the A Field Guide To Narnia
cover and the title page. by Colin Duriez (Downers
Now at last they were Grove: InterVarsity, 2004).
beginning Chapter One Companion To Narnia
of the Great Story which by Paul F. Ford (San
no one on earth has Francisco: Harper San
read, which goes on Francisco, 2005).
forever, in which every Knowing Aslan
chapter is better than the by Thomas Williams
one before (p.767, The (Nashville: Thomas
Chronicles Of Narnia). Nelson, 2005).
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