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Christian literature essay
SYMBOLISM ESSay
Literary analysis of two kinds
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In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis employs symbolism, development and morality. He uses symbolism as a driving force throughout the novel. Without the use of characters similar to Christian figures, Lewis’ series would lack a sense of meaning. His use of these figures evokes a sense of wonder in the reader and encourages them to continue reading. Lewis uses development throughout The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a means to create vivid and more impressionable world. He uses morality as a means for rallying the reader behind a character, inspiring them to continue to support them though the story. These three elements work harmoniously to establish a novel that contains literary depth and meaning.
In all novels, symbolism is a key element that authors use to heighten the literary merit of their writing. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis uses symbolism as a driving force throughout the series. Without the use of characters similar to Christian figures, Lewis’ series would lack deep literary meaning. The wide variety of symbols and literary devices used in these books successfully evoke deep thought and inspires readers to analyze the work further.
Lewis uses many different forms of symbolism throughout The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In this story there is a character named Aslan. Aslan is a lion whose purpose in the novel is to serve as an allusion for Christ. Aslan and Christ share many traits; they are both self-sacrificing and compassionate individuals (Dunham). Not only are these two figures characteristics similar, their actions are also parallel. Edmund, one of the four children in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, betrays his siblings and allies himself w...
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...arnia." Mythlore 18.1 (Autumn 1991): 10-14. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 109. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.
Pietrusz, Jim. "Rites of Passage: The Chronicles of Narnia and the Seven Sacraments." Mythlore 14.4 (Summer 1988): 61-63. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Tom Burns. Vol. 109. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.
Sadler, Glenn Edward. "Lewis, C. S. 1898-1963." Writers for Children: Critical Studies of Major Authors Since the Seventeenth Century. Ed. Jane M. Bingham. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988. 357-364. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.
Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. New York City: Harper Trophy, 1994. .
Lewis, C. S. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Print.
The lions also show the anger of the children. The lions were big, scary and predators in the story. The nursery and the house itself are a big part of the story as well. They symbolise that technology can take over our lives and make them worth nothing. The purpose of using symbolism and repetition in the story is to show that our minds can be one of the most evil places on earth.
In the novel Graceling there are many important characters including the main character Katsa, her uncle King Randa, and her friend Po. Kristin Cashore uses symbolism in many cases to provide more information about these characters without telling the reader directly, so the individual can form their own opinion on the information given. Symbolism, when used in the right book and in the right context, can prove to be an extremely useful tool for the author. Throughout the novel Graceling, author Kristin Cashore uses many symbols to give insight on the growth and portrayal of the characters. The first sign of symbolism is directed towards King Randa.
The Chronicles of Narnia are enticing books, which offer a wonderful fictional plot line, but also a deeper philosophical importance if one analyzes the series. Many religious allusions can be found between characters in Narnia and biblical people. Deeper understanding can be found throughout the stories even in many overlooked aspects of everyday life. “The Chronicles of Narnia” is a piece of literature filled with religious symbols and allusions, such as the actions of Aslan and the personality of Peter, that enhance one’s perception and understanding of the books.
Cashdan, Sheldon. The Witch Must Die: The Hidden Meaning of Fairy Tales. New York: Basic Books, 1999.
In conclusion, C.S Lewis symbolizes good and evil into his characters. The good one would be Aslan and the bad one would be the White Witch. They embody their role with characterization. This can be shown with the description of the two characters. Aslan is pure of heart and powerful and the Witch is cruel and terrifying. Also, their actions are key facts to demonstrate their chosen side. Aslan is always doing beneficial action for others, instead of the Witch that wants more and more power, willing to destroy life to achieve her goals. Through this book, the two opposite characters are really well explained and analysed.
Zipes, Jack. Fairy Tale as Myth/myth as Fairy Tale. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 1994. Print.
C.S. Lewis created a story of a fictional world called Narnia that was inside of a wardrobe. There were four siblings who found this world, once inside they saw numerous creatures like witches and centaurs that were symbols for something bigger. C. S. Lewis uses Christian symbolism in The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe through the characters of Aslan, Edmund, and the White Witch.
Charters, Ann & Samuel. Literature and its Writers. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 137-147. Print.
Manlove, Colin. "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." "The Chronicles of Narnia": The Patterning of a Fantastic World. Twayne Publishers, 1993. 30-42. Rpt. in Novels for Students. Ed. Ira Mark Milne. Vol. 24. Detroit: Gale, 2007. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 21 Jan. 2014.
Some of the main symbols of the novel are The Hanging Wall, the colours of the clothing of the different women and the Eyes. All these symbols add different features to the story which are important. Some add fear, suspense, and overall they all add an important understanding of the story line. Margaret Atwood, was able to successfully create symbols which added depth and helped with the understanding of the novel. With these symbols she used in the novel she proved the importance and the positive effects strong symbolism can have with plot and character
Lewis did not intend for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to attempt to strike at moral standpoints. Lewis stated in an interview, “’I don’t like stories to have a moral: certainly not because I think children dislike a moral. Rather because I feel sure that the question: ‘What do modern children need?’ will not lead you to a good moral”’ (Sadler). However, his use of the innocence of children evokes the essence of purity and good. This purity conflicts with the cruelty and scorn displayed through the White Witches actions, resulting in her becoming an evil figure. The archetype of good vs. evil that writers use throughout literature has proven to be a successful means of striking intrigue in an audience. This combined with the magical setting employed by the mysterious Narnia allows Lewis’ work to be so interesting to readers through decades and generations.
The Chronicles of Narnia are veritably the most popular writings of C.S. Lewis. They are known as children’s fantasy literature, and have found favor in older students and adults alike, even many Christian theologians enjoy these stories from Lewis; for there are many spiritual truths that one can gleam from them, if familiar with the Bible. However, having said this, it is noteworthy to say that Lewis did not scribe these Chronicles for allegorical didactics of the Christian faith, but wrote them in such a well-knit fashion that young readers might understand Christian doctrine through captivating fantasy and thus gain an appreciation for it. With this in mind, and in the interest of this assignment, the purpose of this paper is an attempt to analyze one of the many doctrines of the Christian faith from The Lion, The Witch, And, The Wardrobe (LWW), namely, temptation and how Lewis illustrates it through an individual character, Edmund.
In Children’s literature, the characters are good or bad. The author attempts to teach the children without confusing them. They are learning right from wrong when doing this. In the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Clive Staples Lewis uses this in his novel with his characters. “He parallels the difference between right and wrong” (“Faith”). In the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lewis shows good vs. evil and the archetypes hero and villain in his novel.
"The Value of Children's Literature | Education.com." Education.com | An Education & Child Development Site for Parents | Parenting & Educational Resource. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. .