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Chronicles of Narnia

In watching the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (not reading it sadly) it always strikes me at how much symbolism C. S. Lewis put into these books.  There are such strong symbols of Christ, of God, of His Atonement, and mercy.  Edmund's story in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a deep reminder of the power of the Atonement, and that we can repent.  I love the power of the Stone Table cracking, and it's deep symbolism; the reminder that Christ gave his life for us, that we might live.  The White Witch shows her face throughout the series, representing Satan and temptation.  Edmund is not the only one susceptible to her power.  Even Prince Caspian and Peter fall prey to the temptation of power.  Susan, Edmund, and Peter stumble into Narnia after not believing Lucy for so long; they stumble into the truth, and take the steps to follow Aslan, to fight for him.  Aslan is a powerful symbol of Christ.  He redeems Mr. Tumnus from the power of the Witch.  It is he, NOT Peter, who ultimately destroys the White Witch.  Even the Witch herself fears Aslan.

One of the themes in Prince Caspian is the power of faith.  Lucy never loses the faith that Aslan will return to save them.  She is able to convince the others that Aslan will return and that he will save them.  The people in  Narnia lose faith in Aslan; they feel as if he abandoned them.  In many conditions, I think we in this world feel that Christ has abandoned us, but perhaps we have not looked hard enough for Him in our lives.

And still in Dawn Treader, there is more symbolism.  Much of the themes in Dawn Treader deal with mercy, and how Christ is willing to forgive us and teach us through our mistakes.

C.S. Lewis is one author I would love to study in more detail.  He has a beautiful way of putting deep symbolism into a story for children.


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