Criticism Essay On The Narnia Series

1389 Words3 Pages

In this story, it's the adventures of three young children that find a wardrobe to a new land. This land, however, is under the evil spell of a witch and she leaves the land in internal winter. Accompanied by friends they make and the lion (the king of the forest), they will vanquish the witch forever.

There are many allegories in this story and many representations of Christianity. I have enjoyed reading the books and I have been enlightened reading the critic books. However, the critic books influenced me in thinking some of my own and so I have added on to what I think Lewis was trying to refer just for the purpose of the situation.

Critics have said that each of the seven novels in "The Chronicles of Narnia" addresses one of the seven deadly sins. It is certainly the case that "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," I realized has the sin of gluttony. Edmund is in the Witch's spell and gets manipulated with Turkish Delights. Since this is enchanted Turkish Delight, Edmund cannot be responsible for his gluttony. The real sin occurs when Edmund allows himself to be dependent on the Turkish Delight long after he leaves the Witch. Edmund's gluttony of the Turkish Delight may also be a referred to the sin of Adam and Eve, when they ate from the Tree of Knowledge. Adam and Eve also committed a sin of gluttony, and God punishes them as well. The Turkish delight, I see them as the apple on the tree of knowledge, both looking so good, but terribly evil on the inside. I also see a second sin, one that the critics have not, I see manipulation. The Witch manipulates Edmund to get what she wants, knowing he will ask for more candy. She is using him to get to his brother and sisters.

Edmund is a traitor and his life is forfeit to the White Witch, just like any sinner's life is forfeit to Satan after death. The White Witch is not an exact representation of Satan. However she may be a servant of Satan. The Witch claims the lives of all Narnians who sin against her rules referring to Satan's claim of the souls of sinners. Not everything in Narnia directly parallels the story of Jesus, but the similarities are quite obvious to me. Aslan sacrifices his life to save Edmund, just like Christ gave his life to save mankind.

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