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All readers of Narnia must realize that Aslan the Lion, who is the Son of the Great Emperor Across the Sea, who breaks the power of the White Witch by his death and resurrection -- and who, as C.S. Lewis pointed out to one of his young readers "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas" -- is a picture of Jesus Christ. Does it follow that the books as a whole are allegories?
C.S. Lewis used a very strict definition of the word "allegory" -- after all, one of his most important academic books was a study of this subject. He wrote to some Maryland fifth graders in 1954:
"I did not say to myself 'Let us represent Jesus as He really is in our world by a Lion in Narnia'; I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.'"
"The whole series" wrote Lewis in another letter "works out like this:
The Magician's Nephew tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia,
The Lion etc. - the Crucifixion and Resurrection,
Prince Caspian - restoration of the true religion after a corruption,
The Horse and His Boy - the calling and conversion of the heathen,
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep),
The Silver Chair - the continuing war against the powers of darkness,
The Last Battle - the coming of Antichrist (the ape). The end of the world and the last judgement."
So, in today's loose terminology the books can probably be said to be "allegorical." If you want to use that term, then a number of characters might be said to be allegories:
The White Witch represents the Devil, as does Tash.
Peter represents the valiant and wise Christian
Reepicheep is the very soul of chivalry with both its virtues and its failings.
"Edmund," wrote Lewis "Is, like Judas, a traitor and a sneak. But unlike Judas he repents and is forgiven (as Judas no doubt would have been if he'd repented)." Personally, I believe Edmund represents each and everyone of us. We have chosen a way that ends in an awful death penalty – and our only hope is the King who died in our place.
Father Christmas -- who gives gifts to Aslan's followers to help them fight the powers of darkness -- may be a picture of the Holy Spirit.
Like Narnia, our lives are “always winter but never Christmas.” Life has been too cold, too dark – in spite of our repeated attempts to give it meaning with a relationship, an accomplishment, a religion, an experience. The “Christmas” we’ve looked for our whole lives never seems to come.
The world of Narnia is an amazing wonderland. Not only do many of its animals possess capacity for reason and speech. They also possess faith. And the noble creatures of the land, for there unfortunately are those who turn their back on the light, trust in Aslan. Aslan is the great Lion whose activity encompasses the whole of its history. Aslan is present to roar Narnia into existence. And he is there on that day when the world ceases to be. He is its beginning and its end, its Alpha and Omega. One must read the Chronicles in their entirety to gain a full appreciate for Aslan. However, C.S. Lewis Chronicles humbly offers this brief biography of the great Lion as an introduction.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
In this most wonderful story, Aslan is introduced as Narnia's rightful king. He puts an end to the Hundred Years of Winter and defeats the White Witch. He restores life to the creatures she had turned to stone and used as ornaments in her castle. He anoints the children as his chosen kings and queens to rule over the land. And, most powerfully, Aslan offer up his own life to redeem one of the children who had chosen to follow a path leading to death.
The Chronicles of Narnia are filled with valiant individuals, human and animal, who are rightly called heroes. Yet it is the ever-present and ever-compassionate Aslan who is the true Hero of the tales. Without him, the stories would be enjoyable adventures. But with him at their center, the stories become redemptive. And, C.S. Lewis' most popular writings move beyond the realm of entertainment into the sphere of inspiring classics.
Just as Lewis established his personal life on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, God incarnate... so too he erected the whole of Narnia on the redemptive foundation of Aslan.
In a letter to a young reader, Lewis encouraged the child to decipher the greater significance of this awesome, yet gentle, Lion. "As to Aslan's other name, well I want you to guess. Has there never been anyone in this world who (1) Arrived at the same time as Father Christmas (2) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor (3) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people (4) Came to life again (5) Is sometimes spoken of as a Lamb... Don't you really know His name in this world?"
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The other books are as follows:
Prince Caspian
Aslan's primary activities in this volume are to inspire the rightful prince to triumph over the evil intentions of his uncle (who is attempting to usurp the throne) and accomplishing miracles that revitalize the Narnian world. Aslan reveals his knowledge of earth, which clearly suggests that his realm is not limited to the magical realm of Narnia.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Aslan appears briefly at critical junctures in this exciting journey. At the World's End, the travelers encounter a radiant Lamb, almost too bright to even gaze upon. And this Lamb, who is indeed Aslan, tells the children that they need not travel to Narnia to know him, but that he is known in our world by another name.
The Silver Chair
In this story, Aslan is present the least of any of the Chronicles. However, the passages where he does appear are profound. His conversation with Jill in which he tells her she must drink of the waters to which he directs her, is telling, for "there is no other stream." And, without drinking of the waters, she will surely perish. In this volume, the Lion also shows great affection for his children, lavishing the "wild kisses of a lion" upon them.
The Horse and His Boy
Aslan's divinity is made evident in this adventure that explores the kingdoms to the south of Narnia proper. Aslan reveals to the boy Shasta that he has watched over him the whole of his life. There is also a very enlightening discussion of the nature of the Trinity in this text.
The Magician's Nephew
This volume reveals that Aslan is the Lord of Creation, through whom all things were made. This story is wonderful, and Aslan is on center stage throughout, revealing more and more about his divine nature.
The Last Battle
Although he only arrives on the scene in the final portion of the book, he is referred to throughout. Dangerous error has gained ground throughout Narnia, as the unfaithful have discounted Aslan's work in past eras. They have twisted the faith and expectations of many, and a civil war results. To many, the suspense and action of this book make it their favorite. With the end of the Narnia saga, Aslan invites all who would, to follow him into his own land. "Come father in! Come father up!" His call reverberates in the minds and hearts all who have come to recognize the true nature of Aslan... especially by those who have come to know him by the Name by which he is know in our own world.
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Other parallels With Christian History
There are also other parallels with Christian history. Parts of The Magician's Nephew are related to the first three chapters of Genesis, and in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Peter possesses traits similar to those of St. Peter, and Lucy and Susan reflect Mary Magdalene and the other women when they first discovered Jesus' tomb was empty. Prince Caspian can be said to parallel the Protestant Reformation, with Miraz representing the Papacy, and Caspian, Martin Luther.
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Time Line of The Chronicles of Narnia
Day 1: Creation of Narnia. The Beasts made able to talk. Digory plants the Tree of Protection. The White Witch Jadis enters Narnia but flies into the far North. Frank I becomes King of Narnia.
Day 180: Prince Col, younger son of King Frank V of Narnia, leads certain followers into Archenland (not then inhabited) and becomes first King of that country.
Day 204: Certain outlaws from Archenland fly across the Southern desert and set up the new kingdom of Calormen.
Day 300: The empire of Calormen spreads mightily. Calormenes colonize the land of Telmar to the West of Narnia.
Day 302: The Calormenes in Telmar behave very wickedly and Aslan turns them into dumb beasts. The country lies waste. King Gale of Narnia delivers the Lone Islands from a dragon and is made Emperor by their grateful inhabitants.
Day 407: Olvin of Archenland kills the Giant Pire.
Day 460: Pirates from our world take possession of Telmar.
Day 570: About this time lived Moonwood the Hare.
Day 898: The White Witch Jadis returns to Narnia out of the far North.
Day 900: The long winter begins.
Day 1000: The Pevensies arrive in Narnia. The treachery of Edmund. The sacrifice of Aslan. The White Witch defeated and the Long Winter ended. Peter becomes High King of Narnia.
Day 1014: King Peter carries out a successful raid on the Northern Giants. Queen Susan and King Edmund visit the Court of Calormen. King Lune of Archenland discovers his long-lost son Prince Cor and defeats a treacherous attack by Prince Rabadash of Calormen.
Day 1015: The Pevensies hunt the White Stag and vanish out of Narnia.
Day 1050: Ram the Great succeeds Cor as King of Archenland.
Day 1502: About this time lived Queen Swanwhite of Narnia.
Day 1998: The Telmarines invade and conquer Narnia.
Day 2290: Prince Caspian, son of Caspian IX, born. Caspian IX murdered by his brother Miraz who usurps the throne.
Day 2303: Prince Caspian escapes from his uncle Miraz. Civil War in Narnia. By the aid of Aslan and of the Pevensies, whom Caspian summons with Queen Susan's magic Horn, Miraz is defeated and killed. Caspian becomes Caspian X of Narnia.
Day 2304: Caspian X defeats the Northern Giants.
Day 2306-07: Caspian X's great voyage to the end of the World.
Day 2320: Caspian X marries Ramandu's daughter.
Day 2325: Prince Rilian born.
Day 2345: The Queen killed by a Serpent. Rilian disappears.
Day 2356: Eustace and Jill appear in Narnia and rescue Prince Rilian. Death of Caspian X.
Day 2534: Outbreak of outlaws in Lantern Waste. Towers built to guard that region.
Day 2555: Rebellion of Shift the Ape. King Tirian rescued by Eustace and Jill. Narnia in the hands of the Calormenes. The last battle. End of Narnia. End of the World.
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Did You Know?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was first turned into a television series in 1967. Unlike subsequent adaptations, it is currently unavailable to purchase for home viewing.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was turned into an animated television special in 1979. It was given an Emmy award for Outstanding Animated Program.
The Chronicles of Narnia were turned into a series of successful BBC television miniseries in 1988–1990. Only The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair were filmed. The Magician's Nephew, The Horse and His Boy, and The Last Battle were not filmed.
The four miniseries were later edited into three feature-length films (combining "Prince Caspian" and "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader") and released on DVD.
The upcoming Narnia film also has a video game adaption that goes by the same name. So far, critisism of the new game has been very positive compared with other blockbuster movies with a corresponding game.
There is a Dublin rock band called Aslan, which has a loyal local Irish following, although they have not made it on the international scene. Their most famous song is "Crazy World".
An episode of South Park, "Here Comes the Neighborhood", includes scenes with a pride of lions. The leader of the lions is named Aslan, copying the voice intonation and general animated look from an earlier animated film, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
In a Season 6 episode of Gilmore Girls, when pressed about her religious affiliation, Rory replies "I read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."
There is a Swedish Christian progressive metal band, named Narnia after the series.
(This one is sad):In reference to human sexuality, the term "Narnian" has been used to describe a homosexual or bisexual person who is metaphorically very deep in the closet, possibly to the extent of not realizing or admitting to themselves their orientation.
(Praise God for this one):Aslan ry is a Finnish fundamentalist christian group that advocates reparative therapy for homosexuals, complete with a lionhead as their logo.
Neil Gaiman's 2004 short story "The Problem of Susan" tells the story of Susan Pevensie long after the conclusion of Lewis' series.
In an episode of Friends, Chandler gets defensive about his "nubbin" when Ross asks "if it does anything", and replies: "Why yes Ross, pressing my third nipple opens the delivery entrance to the magical land of Narnia."
In Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia," Leslie refers often to the Narnia books and lends them to Jesse to read so he can learn to act like a king.
In Roald Dahl's book Matilda, the character Matilda mentions that she loves the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Peter, from the animated television show Family Guy, briefly visited Narnia when he plunged into the clothes dryer in pursuit of a lost sock. Upon landing, he was greeted by a small creature, who introduces himself as Mr. Tumnus, and says, "Welcome to Narnia!" Peter responds with "Gimme back my sock, you goat-b@#!$%d!" Mr. Tumnus runs quickly away with his sock.
In an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow has a nightmare in which she is dressed as a nerd and doing an oral book report on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to a very uninterested class.
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