As I read for the first time The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe I was amazed by all the Christian symbolism within the story. I was impressed by C. S. Lewis’s ability to take theology and transform it into a children’s novel. One that would open the door for generations of nonbelievers to become intrigued by a story about a world full of fictional characters that is actually based on Bible stories. Aslan is one of the many fictional characters in Narnia and I would like to examine his role in the story, who he represents and determine if his portrayal of his Biblical counterpart was accurately portrayed. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) by C. S. Lewis, Mr. Beaver says, as he is referring to Aslan, “Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good” (p.86). Before we interpret the meaning behind the statement Mr. Beaver makes I think it is important to establish an understanding of who Aslan is intended to be perceived as within the story. Alister McGrath tells us in C. S. Lewis: A life - Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet (2013) “using Aslan as God’s proxy, Lewis constructs a narrative of yearning and wistfulness, tinged with hope of ultimate fulfilment” (p.290). Here we learn that it is C. S. Lewis’s intent for the reader to see Aslan as a Christ figure within the story.
With that in
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Beaver gave an accurate representation of Aslan in the book as he described him as not being safe, but still being good. We have established that his role in the story is to be the savior to all of Narnia and to deliver them from evil. We identified Aslan’s fictional character to be the representation of Jesus Christ and determined that this was accurately and profoundly portrayed throughout The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C. S. Lewis was able to take Jesus Christ and accurately portray him as a fictional character in a children’s novel in a profound and powerful fashion that it will continue to impact many more generations to