This edition follows the original numbering scheme. Recent publishers have renumbered the volumes so they are ordered chronologically. This was reportedly the author's preference. Other editions number this book as 2.
A literary analysis of the allegories to Christianity in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
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The
Strife is O'er, the Battle Done
“The
strife is o'er, the battle done; now is the victor's triumph won; now
be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!” (Lutheran Service Book
464:1) Authors often use allegories in literature to symbolize a
concept. In The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe,
C.S. Lewis uses allegories to teach readers more about
Christianity's core belief through faith, sacrifice, and duality.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Lucy discovers this hidden world
inside the wardrobe, and, after spending several hours there, returns
to the real world, the logical world. Her siblings question her
sanity because she believes Narnia exists. Lucy even starts to doubt
herself, yet she stills holds firm to her belief that Narnia is
there. “Lucy was a very truthful girl and she knew she was in the
right; and she could not bring herself to say this. The others who
thought she was telling a lie, and a silly lie too, made her very
unhappy.” (p.22) This is what faith in God should be like.
Christians believe in something that is not logical or scientific,
but rather is outside human reasoning. How can there be three persons
in one God? How can someone be one hundred percent God and one
hundred percent man? People question Christians' sanity. But even
when they have doubts, they cling to God through their faith which
has been granted them by the Holy Spirit. When in doubt, they turn to
the Lord and His word, the Bible, just as Lucy returns to the
wardrobe.
“Greater
love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his
friends.” John 15:13. Sacrifice is the greatest love. Aslan lays
down his life for Edmund, a traitor, just as Christ has laid down his
life for all people, who are all of them sinners. Aslan walks
willingly to his death, knowing what is coming. He is tied to the
stone table and killed. For a moment, it appears that evil has won;
the White Witch has conquered the Great Lion, Aslan. The witch taunts
him saying, “And now, who has won? Fool, did you think that by all
this you would save the human traitor?...Understand that you have
given me Narnia forever, you have lost your own life and have not
saved his. In that knowledge, despair and die.” (p. 152) But Aslan
returns, breaking the stone table and conquering death. Jesus went
uncomplaining forth to His death, allows Himself to be nailed to the
cross, and willingly gives up His spirit. The disciples believe that
death has conquered Christ. But on the third day, Jesus rises,
conquering over death and the grave. Christ gave his life to save all
people. Even though we sin, the devil cannot have us because Christ
triumphed over death and the devil. “The pow'rs of death have done
their worst, But Christ their legions hath dispersed. Let shouts of
holy joy outburst. Alleluia! The three sad days have quickly sped, He
rises glorious from the dead. All glory to our risen Head! Alleluia!”
(LSB 464:2-3)
Good versus evil has been the way of the world since the beginning
of time when the snake offered Eve the fruit of the tree. The main
example of duality is the Battle of Narnia. Peter, Aslan, and those
who believe in a free Narnia fight against the White Witch and her
followers, just as Saint Michael and his angels fought against Satan.
“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against
the dragon. And the dragon fought back, but he was defeated, and
there was no longer any place for them in heaven.” Revelation
12:7-8. Just as Michael and his angels overcame the dragon, Aslan
defeats the Witch. “Then Lion and Witch had rolled over together
but with the Witch underneath.” (p.174) And in both cases, good is
victorious over evil. “He broke the age-bound chains of hell; the
bars from heav'n's high portals fell. Let hymns of praise His triumph
tell. Alleluia!” (LSB 464:4)
Faith,
sacrifice, and duality are used as an allegory to Christianity in The
Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis. Lewis uses the allegories to teach the core beliefs of
the Christian faith. “Lord, by Thy stripes which wounded Thee, From
death's dread sting Thy servants free that we may live and sing to
Thee. Alleluia!” (LSB 464:5)
Sources:
The
Lutheran Service Book.
Concordia Publishing House, 2006.
The
Lutheran Study Bible.
Concordia Publishing House, 2009.
Lewis,
C. S. The
Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Macmillan, 1950.
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