The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis has long been considered a beloved series of children’s books. But underneath the storyline of adventure, heroic deeds and talking animals, lies an undercurrent of Christian teachings. While some scholars have recently criticized Narnia as offering an off-putting view of Christianity, many Christian readers continue to find a clear and honest portrayal of their core beliefs in Lewis’ works. So how is Narnia related to Christianity?
The influence of Christianity can be seen in Lewis’ work from his earliest publications. In his autobiography, he discussed his conversion to Christianity; then sometime afterwards he wrote several theological books. He named his first successful book, The Pilgrim’s Regress, after John Bunyan’s 1678 story. The Christian allegory sparked his following works.
The Chronicles of Narnia have been widely accepted as a Christian allegory with allegorical messages covering a range of topics including death, suffering, evil, and sacrifice. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the major characters Aslan and the White Witch are portrayed as symbols of Jesus and his criticism of Satan, respectively. Aslan’s death to expend Edmund’s punishment, followed by his resurrection subsequent to the Seven Words is presented as a redemptive parallel for Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead three days later.
In addition to the characters’ resemblance to Biblical figures and stories, the series captures the necessary moral teachings of Christianity. Narnia is a reminder that Christians are never too young, old, wise, or hopeless to be saved. Swallowed up in a sea of despair, The Silver Chair revolves around Eustace’s journey to Narnia to reclaim Jill Pole, who has been kidnapped by the Lady of the Green Kirtle. During the course of his adventure, the Lord of the group, Aslan, rescues Eustace from his own despair, enabling him to continue on his journey’s ultimate goal.
Lewis used his army experience and his theological teachings to create a world of spiritual warfare and moral teachings. He used the struggle of religious forces to present a clear picture of what was good and what was evil-a representation of the war between man and sinfulness. For example, Narnia’s villains-the White Witch and the Kings of Calormene- stand in opposition to the creed of Narnia’s rulers (the Heveans) to represent spiritual warfare between good and evil.
The stories of Narnia speak to a range of readers, adults and children alike, regardless of faith. Even the most skeptical reader can appreciate the way Lewis was able to articulate problems which affect humanity, while never overtly discussing religious topics. It is due to this bridge between faith and humanity that these stories have remained enduring works of fiction, and a window into Christianity for generations to come.
Further Perspective
Not all literary critics agree that there is a theological undertone to Narnia. Grammatical debate has emerged from Lewis’ works, mostly from skeptics who claim that symbolism and environment are woven too intricately into the story to not represent a faith standpoint. While Lewis never comments on the religious inspirations of his works, it is tempting to infer the themes of forgiveness, innocence, adulthood, justice, faith, and death as associated with a Christian world view.
The story of Narnia is primarily traditionalist, promote values such as courage, loyalty, truth, and justice. By doing this, Lewis shows readers it is possible to continue to follow one’s faith even in a dangerous and uncertain world, and to have strength of character to bravely pursue justice and goodness. The stories of Narnia also serve as reminders that faith should be accompanied with courage and wisdom. This, then, prompts readers to reflect and think about their own spiritual beliefs in a more meaningful way, and hopefully puts them closer to simplifying and applying those beliefs in their life.
Contextual Analysis
From a contextual viewpoint, The Chronicles of Narnia can be interpreted in a number of ways. While Christianity is an obvious focus, there are countless layers to Lewis’ work; in particular, there are also Hindu, Greco-Roman, Jewish, and Islamic/Sufi strands to the series. Lewis’ connectedness to these differing cultures is not an accident—it is purposeful, intentional, and poetic. It brings to life spiritual influences and beliefs from various sources to provide the reader with an all-encompassing, larger view of the world around us.
The series is also full of hidden psychological and allegorical meanings, particularly in regards to the characters’ journeys and their growth with the help of Aslan. These journeys are highly symbolic of spiritual growth and understanding. One could say that Lewis is utilizing a “bildungsroman”—a coming of age narrative for readers—in which the characters’ personal transformation mirrors the development of spirituality and wisdom.
Literary Criticism
Literary critics generally advocate for complex interpretations and accept that Lewis may have a hidden agenda in his writings. In particular, several critics have noted that the series may have explored Lewis’ own unresolved feelings of guilt, loss, and abandonment. Critics have suggested that Lewis’ works could have been a form of “therapy”, allowing him to confront his childhood traumas, explore the loss of family members, and come to terms with his faith.
The Chronicles of Narnia have sparked a greater conversation surrounding “Christian literature” and its place within fantastic fiction. A deeper understanding of the religious themes in Lewis’ works allows readers to get closer to the functions of the stories, such as the notion of atonement, our faith in the face of danger, and ultimately the spiritual struggle that is inherent in us all.
Critical Analysis
The Chronicles of Narnia present a conceptually ageless, powerful, and immediate framework for exploring tales of faith, morality, and ultimately our spiritual journey. Between the second and third book in the series, The Silver Chair and The Horse and His Boy, readers are faced with a powerful paradox concerning children, age, and identity. Readers are reminded that despite the need for children to grow and develop, the stories of Narnia center on the innocence of childhood. As Aslan states in The Magician’s Nephew “To get the right view of your own world you have to have seen both worlds. That is why dreams are so natural to children. They have seen both already.”
What remains clear is that C. S. Lewis created a world of imagination filled with Christian inspiration and commentary. From a critical perspective, the Chronicles take Biblical messages and present them allegorically and transparently, inviting the reader to analyze the works through their own lenses of faith, reason, and philosophy. Beyond the surface of the story—the wars, friendships, and adventures—lie deeper themes and questions of morality, love, redemption, and the consequences of absolute power.
Reception and Analysis
Critics have discussed whether Lewis’ books should be interpreted as strictly a religious allegory or if there is an additional commentary on morality, faith, and even family relationships. In particular, the finale of The Last Battle combines elements of Christian theology and many forms of literature to serve as an allegory for heaven and hell. Critical analysis of this concept shows that the ending of the series is reflective of the complexity of human relationships and further encourages readers to think deeply about the outcomes of their actions.
Regardless of the interpretation of Lewis’ works, it can be argued that his books have historical and religious importance and have remained a source of spiritual guidance to readers both young and old. It is perhaps this intertwining of faith and imagination that have kept the series alive, with readers eager to delve deeper into the message of forgiveness and redemption, to gain a better understanding of their own faith and the world around them.
