Today, November 29, is the 125th birthday of Clive Staples Lewis, better known by the abbreviation C.S. Lewis (or C.S. Lewis, in some Hebrew versions of his books). The Irish author is best known for his series of Narnia chronicles, which consists of seven volumes that were a huge success and even became a series of films that were also quite successful, but were interrupted after only three. The fantasy stories, about children who find a gateway to a magical kingdom called Narnia, are also quite beloved in Israel – probably because we are not aware that the author was a devout Christian and planted a variety of Christian messages in his stories.
Although he denied for most of his life that he intended to incorporate mission into his books, his devout faith (which, incidentally, was 'ignited' by the fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien) apparently influenced his writing in subconscious ways as well. In the twilight of his life (he died exactly 59 years and a week ago) he admitted in a letter that the books described Jesus. Michael Ward, who researched Lewis's work, wrote a book about the various theories about the author's hidden intentions. Here are some of the hidden messages in the series, revealed to us by ChatGPT, Forefront, and Perplexity:
1. Allegory of faith and salvation
At the heart of the chronicles of Narnia lies a rich allegory of faith and salvation. Aslan, the royal lion and a central character in the series, represents the image of Jesus. His act of sacrifice in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when sacrificed on an altar and resurrected, echoes the theme of redemption and resurrection.
2. Morality and ethical choices The
chronicles of Narnia serve as a moral compass, navigating readers through a world where ethical choices are a supreme value. Each episode confronts the characters with moral dilemmas and the consequences of their actions. Whether it's Edmund's betrayal or Eustace's transformation in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Lewis uses allegory to impart timeless lessons about the importance of virtue, integrity, and personal growth.
3. The study of seduction and greed The
character of the White Witch, Jadis, embodies the temptation and destructive nature of uncontrolled greed. Her seductive proposals to characters like Edmund emphasize the ongoing struggle between good and evil. The series deals extensively with the consequences of surrendering to desires without taking into account the broader moral implications. The very entry of children into the kingdom also represents the sin of greed: they flee from their paradise to a corrupt world, and the tree between the worlds is the Tree of Knowledge, which offers free will or divine providence.
4. Political allegory
Within the magical kingdom of Narnia, Lewis subtly incorporates political allegory as well, drawing parallels to real-world events. The usurpation of power by the telemarines in Prince Caspian reflects Lewis's interpretation of the dangers of authoritarian rule and the importance of just government. The series invites readers to reflect on the broader social and political implications inherent in the fantastic narrative.
5. The nature of time and eternity
In The Last Battle, the final book in the series, Lewis delves into deep philosophical issues related to time and eternity. The characters' journey to the destruction of Narnia serves as a metaphor for the eternal nature of spiritual existence.
6. The journey of self-discovery The chronicles of Narnia are not only an external journey, but also an exploration of the inner self
. Characters go through transformative experiences, dealing with their fears, flaws and prejudices. From Lucy's unshakable faith to Eustace's redemption, Lewis uses the magical realm of Narnia as a canvas for characters to discover the depth of their humanity.
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