Christian Symbols and Symbolism in C.S. Lewis

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses C.S. Lewis's popular children's book, "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," and its Christian symbols and themes. The writer describes some of the major Christian elements in the story and explains that these combine with pagan elements to make a powerful and haunting fable about children caught up in a supernatural world. None of them ask to be there: they are sucked into the battle one day, and as suddenly thrown out again, without apparently being aged or altered except psychologically. However, the children are now the followers of Aslan, and Lewis intended this to be an example for children to transfer their allegiance to Christ.

Outline:
Elements of the Story
The Children
Aslan
The Land of Narnia
The Witch

From the Paper:

"Unlike the other children, Edmund remains very materialistic and bound to the physical realms of greed and desire. Edmund gives in to these desires, rather than restraining himself: this is his sin, and it is his inability to control those cravings that lead to his downfall. Aslan sacrifices himself, in part to show Edmund how he should behave: and Edmund in turn becomes 'the Just', knowing best how to decide between right and wrong. Unlike his biblical counterpart, Edmund gets the chance to improve and grow. This is significant, as it echoes the theme of forgiveness and redemption which is the modern version of the New Testament themes."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bane, M. Myth Made Truth: The Origins of the Chronicles of Narnia from http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/originsofnarnia.html
• Brennan, M. The Lion, The Witch and the Allegory: An Analysis of Selected Narnia Chronicles from http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/lionwitchallegory.html
• Cawley, A and Anderson, J. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight Everyman (1976)
• Cowart, A. The Success of C.S. Lewis in the Chronicles of Narnia from http://cslewis.drzeus.net/papers/success.html
• Holbrook, D. The Skeleton in the Wardrobe Lewisburg (1991)

More papers on Christian Symbols and Symbolism in C.S. Lewis:

• Analytical Essay # 64575 : "Imaginary Worlds in C.S. Lewis' Stories"
• Dissertation or Thesis # 147391 : "Symbols and Ambiguities in Nabokov's "Lolita"
• Book Review # 90603 : "C. S. Lewis' "Miracles"

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