C. S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” can be seen as a spiritual allegory. The entire book has either subtle or somewhat blatant references to Christianity, and other religions. With references to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, Adam and Eve; it is pretty clear that Lewis intended his novel to parallel with Christian themes. But also having some elements of Paganism, Lewis portrays elements of the natural world and respecting it, much like how in the Pagan religion is about worshiping nature. Lewis also integrates the themes of betrayal, and compassion and courage into the plot and the characters of the novel. Though each character may not have a direct reference to Christian themes or other religious doctrines, the
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Lewis intended the character Aslan, the mighty lion that rules Narnia, to be a biblical allegory to Jesus Christ. All the good characters believe that Aslan will be able to fix everything that the White Witch has caused, like the eternal Winter. Instead of using his magic and defeating the White Witch then and there, whilst saving Edmund, he surprises them. Aslan instead sacrifices himself in Edmund’s place. Much like Christ’s crucifixion, Aslan’s sacrifice is humiliating, and tormenting. Before Christ’s crucifixion, he is stripped of his clothes and offered wine to drink. Before Aslan is killed by the White Witch for his sacrifice, she cuts his mane off. "Oh how can they?" said Lucy, tears streaming down her cheeks. "The brutes, the brutes!" for now that the first shock was over the shorn face of Aslan looked to her braver, and more beautiful, and more patient than ever. (Lewis …show more content…
Most Christian holidays and events are actually adopted from Pagan ceremonies. One of the most obvious Pagan elements within the novel is when Father Christmas is brought up. "Why, it is she that has got all Narnia under her thumb. It's she that makes it always winter. Always winter, and never Christmas; think of that!" (2.39). The White Witch has made Narnia deal with an eternal winter, but Aslan and the Pevensie Children start to reverse the spell. "I've come at last," said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening." (Lewis
Lewis intended the character Aslan, the mighty lion that rules Narnia, to be a biblical allegory to Jesus Christ. All the good characters believe that Aslan will be able to fix everything that the White Witch has caused, like the eternal Winter. Instead of using his magic and defeating the White Witch then and there, whilst saving Edmund, he surprises them. Aslan instead sacrifices himself in Edmund’s place. Much like Christ’s crucifixion, Aslan’s sacrifice is humiliating, and tormenting. Before Christ’s crucifixion, he is stripped of his clothes and offered wine to drink. Before Aslan is killed by the White Witch for his sacrifice, she cuts his mane off. "Oh how can they?" said Lucy, tears streaming down her cheeks. "The brutes, the brutes!" for now that the first shock was over the shorn face of Aslan looked to her braver, and more beautiful, and more patient than ever. (Lewis …show more content…
Most Christian holidays and events are actually adopted from Pagan ceremonies. One of the most obvious Pagan elements within the novel is when Father Christmas is brought up. "Why, it is she that has got all Narnia under her thumb. It's she that makes it always winter. Always winter, and never Christmas; think of that!" (2.39). The White Witch has made Narnia deal with an eternal winter, but Aslan and the Pevensie Children start to reverse the spell. "I've come at last," said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening." (Lewis