Throughout C. S. Lewis’ book series, Narnia, he uses his diverse characters to embody different real-world people and issues. Lewis utilizes his exceptional writing skills to put his characters through certain situations that reflect real-world issues. By doing this Lewis indirectly helped his readers to better understand the world around them.
Firstly and most obviously was Narnia’s king figure, Aslan. Aslan was depicted as a large lion who, although a fierce protector, was a gentle giant. Almost immediately the average reader makes the connection between this ‘king’ and the Christian God. In the book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first book of the series, Aslan risks his life for another character, Edmund. Aslan loses
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his life in order to save Edmund. This is a direct reflection of Christ’s crucifixion. “But he made no noise, even when the enemies, straining and tugging, pulled the cords so tight that they cut into his flesh” (Lewis 166). It is said in the bible that Jesus Christ gave his life for his followers, he died in order that they would be saved, much like Aslan saved Edmund by giving his life. Aslan also reflected Jesus in that he did not turn to violence when it would not help his situation, he seemed to know how things would happen and how to react to them before they did so. “Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, at the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, when he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, and when he shakes his mane we will have spring again” (Lewis 118). Lewis effectively creates Aslan’s character to be both intimidating like a king or a lion should be yet child friendly and relatable. Aslan is often depicted as playing with the children or watching over the weaker of his kingdom such as the poor or crippled. “His voice was deep and rich and somehow took the fidgets out of them” (Lewis 140). Although Aslan was a highly respected king and a very strong lion he had a way of lowering himself to the level in which he can communicate with people. As Aslan could do this, so could Jesus. Jesus appeared as a human in order to effectively communicate with those who needed him. Another way C. S. Lewis tied his book to the real-world was through creating flawed characters. Lewis’ series revolved around the adventures of four children ranging from the youngest, Lucy, who was only 8 when she discovered Narnia to the oldest, Peter, who was 13 years old. There was also Edmund and Susan, ages 10 and 12. Throughout the series the reader learns about the flaws with all of these characters, the first one being the children’s discovery of Narnia. When a friendly game of hide and seek led the children into the magical world they held no sense of danger. Lucy immediately began to wander around and when she met a stranger she trusted him and listened to what he said. “’I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Tumnus,’ said Lucy” (Lewis 12). This was a very childish thing to do and expressed Lucy’s innocence. Just as in real-life children have no sense of danger, neither did Lucy when she found herself in this unknown and strange environment. Next was Edmund’s mistake. Edmund unknowingly put him and his siblings in danger by joining the forces of the evil witch, The White Witch. “’Son of Adam, I should so much like to see your brother and your two sisters’” (Lewis 39). Although he did not know the consequences of his actions, it was a childish mistake to trust her. This mistake reinforces the idea that these characters are real and make mistakes just like a real child would. The last flaw in these characters was their thoughts about Aslan. Lucy was the closest child to Aslan and she would often take walks with the lion and discuss Narnia history. After doing this for a long time she began to lose the fear she was felt when confronted by Aslan. “’Terrible paws,’ thought Lucy, ‘if he didn’t know how to velvet them!’” (Lewis 141). As she felt she could now trust the large beast, she no longer feared him or was intimidated by him. This was a mistake as she began to forget that Aslan was still a wild animal and although he wouldn’t hurt her he demanded a certain level of respect simply for his authority. When she witnessed Aslan in battle she became appalled at what she saw as she had never considered him a fighter or have the ability to hurt anyone. This was a childish thing for her to think because as a little girl she felt safe with her protector, Aslan, but seemed to forget that he also needed to protect his kingdom. Lastly, it is claimed that Lewis’ seven books directly correlate with the seven deadly sins, pride, greed, lust or luxury, envy, gluttony, anger and sloth.
It is also argued that Lewis did this subconsciously, as he was proven to have extensive knowledge about the sins. In the first book of the series, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Edmund betray Aslan by joining forces with the White Witch. She had promised him power and money and lured him in with foreign sweets. “Each piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious” (Lewis 38). Edmund personified gluttony as he shoveled Turkish Delight after Turkish Delight into his mouth, only to unknowingly repay the witch with information regarding him and his siblings. In the second book, Prince Caspian, an evil ruler takes power by ‘removing’ his contenders from the throne. “And finally he persuaded the seven noble lords, who alone among all the Telmarines did not fear the sea, to sail away and look for new lands beyond the Eastern Ocean, and, as he intended, they never came back” (Lewis 101). The king, Miraz, reflects luxury as he attempted to overpower and control his kingdom. Miraz outlawed Narnian animals and tried to stifle any noise about the magic of Narnia. By doing this he obtained the luxury of having a kingdom that bows only to him and that is completely under his control. After Prince Caspian, came The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Eustance, a poor sailor finds him and his crew stranded on a deserted island. After a bit of exploring Eustance wanders off and stumbles upon a dragon’s lair. Immediately the reader can recognize what Eustance represents as he dives head first into the gold that was stored there. “Sleeping on a dragon’s hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself” (Lewis 97). Lewis intended to show the poor effects of greed and the consequences for greedy actions. Eustance later awoke to
discover that he had transformed into the dragon, a thoroughly painful experience. Only after Eustance realizes the faults in his ways does he transform back into his sailor self. Lewis’ other stories also revolved around this common idea. By centering his series around these real-life applications, Lewis was able to teach his readers valuable lessons about the real-world. From creating characters to represent impactful people to using the series to teach life lessons Lewis utilized his extensive knowledge and skills. The readers can find themselves left with a different view of the world and life after reading Narnia.
The Hobbit This hobbit was a hobbit, and his name was Baggins. Baggins had lived in the neighborhood of ”The Hill” some time, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most or them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected. You could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbors’ respect, but he gained- well, you will see what he gained in the end.
...as created controversy where his books are studied and dissected by academics. He is outspoken and interacts with critics about the themes in his book, which are the antithesis of C.S Lewis Narnia series. Controversy and debate are forms of creating interest in a book that send sales soaring. Everyone wants to read the book that is creating such a furore.
The world of Arthurian literature is filled with magic and adventure that enchants readers of all ages. T.H. White has done a fantastic job of turning the childhood adventures of Arthur by turning his narrative into spellbinding, cartoon like interpretation of the sword in the stone legend. Moral values are apparent from the beginning of White’s novel. White has cleverly connected all the educational adventures of Arthur, along with the people and animals encountered to the pulling the sword out of the stone. This marvelous amalgamation of key elements not only ties the loose ends of Arthur’s adventures together, they also solidify the reasoning behind Arthurs’ predetermined path to becoming the king of England.
As a transformed Christian, soldier, author, or speaker, C.S. Lewis inspired many in his lifetime. The trials he encountered in his life made him a more inspiring and respectable author and person. Narnia, one of his most popular works, demonstrates moral characteristics in ways we can more easily understand with fictitious characters and settings (Gilbert 14).
In 1939, Victor Fleming made a film version of L. Frank Baum’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” However, both the novel and the film focuses or touches on the same moral, it features the protagonist Dorothy who resides in Kansas the farm, along with her aunt Em and uncle Henry as well as her dog Toto. Both Baum’s novel and Fleming’s 1939 film adaptation the setting is in Kansas which is described as a small farm which Dorothy lives in which in Baum’s novel is picturized as gloomy, grey and dull. Throughout Fleming’s adaptation of Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” there are a number of differences which presents itself in a direct manner on screen as well as similarities. The variety of changes in the film’s adaptation tends to take away from the meaning of L. Frank Baum’s depiction in his novel to a certain level and extent.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair exemplifies a muckraking style in its often gory depictions of life in a meat packing factory, Sinclair writes of how the meat packing industry exploits its workers, many of whom are uneducated and poor in the same way a capitalist government exploits it's working class. Sinclair uses Symbolism in terms of physical objects, Objects that serve a metaphorical purpose, and oppressive tone, to persuade the reader that Capitalism leads to the declination and corruption of America and that the only way to remedy this is socialistic government.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader By: C.S. Lewis There are three main characters in the story, Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace. Lucy and Edmund are brothers and sisters and Eustace is their cousin. Edmund is a young teenager, very smart and very kind.
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” Clive Staples Lewis, known as C.S. Lewis, was a popular Irish author, famous for his Christian works, especially “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Throughout his novels, Lewis enlightened his readers with his views about faith. Although his novels were revolved around Christianity, Lewis was not always a believer. There were many things that influenced Lewis as a writer, but the most significant were his love of fantasy, his fascination with mythology, and his Christian beliefs.
Throughout the novel Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie explicitly illuminates gender stereotypes and paternal and maternal qualities of the Victorian era. In the early 20th century, patriarchal society strictly defined men and women’s roles in the community. Traditionally, men were expected to attain manhood in the eyes of other men in society, find a spouse, achieve success and respect, provide for their wife and family, work through hardships, live adventurously, and financially succeed. A woman’s main role in life was her responsibilities to her family- primarily seen as wives, mothers, and caretakers, with her place being in a domestic setting. Through Peter Pan, Mr. and Mrs. Darling, Wendy, and Peter Pan each adhere to the classic gender stereotypes and paternal and maternal characteristics of the early 20th century in their own unique way.
Through the use of Christian symbolism, conflicts, and imagery, C. S. Lewis implements his religious background into his literary works.
C.S Lewis is the author of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Warrdrobe. Lewis was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland. He was born Clive Staples Lewis to Flora August Hamilton Lewis and Albert J. Lewis. Lewis’s mother passed away when he was on ten years old. After his mother died he went on to get his pre-college education at boarding schools and he also received help from a tutor. Lewis served in World War I with the English Army, but unfortunately was sent home when he was wounded. Lewis was a graduate of Oxford University with a focus on classic philosophy and literature. As a child, he was disappointed with the Christian faith, but when he became older he found himself embracing Christianity. During World War II, he gave popular radio broadcasts on Christianity and they won many converts. Lewis’ speeches were collected in Mere Christianity. In the year of 1954, C.S. Lewis joined the staff of Cambridge University as a literature professor. He met an English teacher by the name of Joy Gresham and in 1956 they married each other and became a happily married family. The two were joyful during their marriage; unfortunately in 1960, the wife became ill with cancer died. Lewis began publishing his works in the mid- 1920s. Lewis started to publish The Chronicles of Narnia during the 1950s. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first in the seven book series to be released. This was the story of four siblings who discovered a wardrobe with a magical land in the back of it (“Clives…”). In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Lewis describes Aslan, Edmund, and Lucy.
The work of C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling is of grave vital on the grounds that their work portrays actuality as well as adds to it. Yes, their work is not just a portrayal of actuality; it is somewhat a quality expansion. Their meeting expectations are depictions of the reasoning examples and social standards pervasive commonly. They are a delineation of the diverse features of regular man's existence. Their works serves as a something worth mulling over and a tonic for creative energy and innovativeness. Lying open a single person to great artistic lives up to expectations, is proportional to giving him/her the finest of instructive chances.
The Dark Tower – Stephen King The Dark Tower is a series of stories that follow the main character, Roland "The Last Gunslinger", as he travels across a harsh desert on a mission to find the "man in black". His mission is to make it safely to the Tower in order to save himself and the very existence of the universe. The entire series revolves around the tower and how essential it is. The tower is a central point where different planes of existence merge and if Roland doesn't make it there before it gets destroyed then everything else will be destroyed along with it.
Discovering a land that holds many wonders and magic is etched into the reader’s minds due to C.S. Lewis’s marvelous series the Chronicles of Narnia. His first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic that many children and adults still read today. For those who cracked open, the binding adventure was painted in their hearts. Many who read it might wonder what is so significant about the main characters and their roles in the story, but not many think about the title of the book. What is special about these characters and object in the book? Why did C.S. Lewis decide to name the first book he wrote in the Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Lewis wanted to show the power of the savior of the world through
The Narnia Chronicles have already established themselves as timeless works of literature. They appeal to both the atheists and the God-fearing, to both the uneducated and to scholars; to children and adults. An understanding of the Biblical allegory in these books is not essential to their appreciation. A critical analysis of these works, however, does allow the reader to more fully appreciate Lewis' unique gift to simplify complex narratives and craft beautiful children's fantasies. This, in turn, allows the reader to gain both a deeper understanding of Lewis as a skilled creative writer, and a deeper satisfaction of his art. To be able to appreciate C.S. Lewis as such an artisan can only add to one's enjoyment of his works.