Well, here we are again, back to Narnia! It’s been quite a while since I did my last post on the Narnia books… back in April or May, I think it was. Now, if I wanted to really work through the series chronologically, I should be doing The Horse and His Boy right now, but I wanted to do Prince Caspian first, so I’m afraid Shasta, and Aravis, Bree and Hwyn will simply have to wait. It’s interesting that my returning post on Narnia should be about Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy’s return to Narnia!
Like I wrote when I first started posting on Narnia, I’m not writing book reviews or anything like that… I just want to write about the different parts of the books that I find interesting – allegorical, writing, etc!
So, on to Narnia!
For the four children, one year has passed since their return from Narnia. While waiting on a railway platform on their way back to school, something very strange happens, and they find themselves whisked away to a strange country. Gradually they come to realize that they are in fact back in Narnia… but the Narnia they knew has disappeared.
For Narnia, hundreds of years have passed, and the Golden Age (during which time the four children ruled) has been almost entirely forgotten beneath the weight of Telmarine oppression.
The children were understandably confused for a while about the puzzle of the time difference:
“But half a moment!” said Edmund. “You keep on saying since our time. But it’s only a year ago since we came back from Narnia. And you want to make out that in one year, castles have fallen down, and great forests have grown up, and little trees we saw planted ourselves have turned into a big old orchard and goodness knows what else. It’s all impossible.”
Then later…
“Oh!” said Edmund in a voice which made everyone stop talking and listen to him. “I’ve just seen it all,” he said.
“See what?” asked Peter.
“Why the whole thing,” said Edmund. “You know what we were puzzling about last night, that it was only a year ago since we left Narnia but everything looks as if no one had lived in Cair Paravel for hundreds of years? Well, don’t you see? You know that, however long we seemed to have lived in Narnia, when we got back through the wardrobe it seemed to have taken no time at all?”
“Go on,” said Susan. “I think I’m beginning to understand.”
“And that means,” continued Edmund, “that, once you’re out of Narnia, you have no idea how Narnia time is going. Why shouldn’t hundreds of years have gone past in Narnia while only one year has passed for us in England?”
“By jove, Ed,” said Peter. “I believe you’ve got it. In that sense it really was hundreds of years ago that we lived in Cair Paravel…”
I find it interesting that almost any fantasy book you read nowadays involving travel between worlds is based upon this concept of two separates measures for time. It makes it very convenient for writers! You can send your character to another world in which all sorts of adventures take place for whatever space of time required, then when you bring them home again, you don’t have to bother about explanations because little to no time has passed in our world. Clever Lewis!
Not only have hundreds of years passed, but the Old Narnia has passed as well. Narnia is now ruled by the conquering Telmarines and the old creatures of Narnia have been all but exterminated. Belief in dwarfs, talking animals, naiads, dryads, fauns and the like is discouraged… forbidden. But above all, the belief in Aslan has died away… so much so, that the Telmarines claim that there is no such thing as lions.
Doctor Cornelious speaks on this subject to Prince Caspian (nephew of the tyrant Telmarine King Miraz):
“Your Highness speaks as you have been taught,” said the Doctor. “But it is all lies. There are no ghosts there. That is a story invented by the Telmarines. Your Kings are in deadly fear of the sea because they can never quite forget that in all stories Aslan comes from over the sea. They don’t want to go near it and they don’t want anyone else to go near it. So they have let great woods grow up to cut their people off from the coast… They feel safer is no one in Narnia dares to go down to the coast and look out to sea – towards Aslan’s land and the morning and the eastern end of the world.”
The Telmarines always hated and feared Alsan, so they attempted to deny his existence. Even many of the Old Narnians (the dwarves, and naiads, and dryads, and talking animals), no longer believed in Aslan.
“As firmly as that, I dare say,” said Trumpkin (a red dwarf). “But who believes in Aslan nowadays?”
Caspian is forced to flee the castle of his fathers when his uncle Miraz tries to have him killed. Caspian winds up among the Old Narnians and throws his lot in with them, rallying an army to his banner, and pledging as King Caspian X of Narnia to return to the rule of the Golden Age. But even among the Old Narnians, Caspian finds disbelief in the ancient tales of Narnia, and especially in Aslan. More than that, he finds that some would actually turn to the ancient powers of evil in their time of need.
“Do you believe in Aslan?” said Caspian to Nikabrik.
“I’ll believe in anyone or anything,” said Nikabrik, “that’ll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia. Anyone or anything, Aslan or the White Witch, do you understand?”
“I’ll believe in anyone or anything,” said Nikabrik, “that’ll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia. Anyone or anything, Aslan or the White Witch, do you understand?”
Later, Nikabrik’s actions nearly lead to dire consequences… but more on that later!
The four children join forces with Trumpkin the dwarf, sent by Caspian to find them. (Caspian actually called the four children into Narnia with Susan’s lost horn – one of her gifts from Father Christmas during their first adventure in Narnia). Together, the five journey towards Aslan’s How (a mound built over the Stone Table where Aslan was slain) where Caspian’s army is holed up, defending against Miraz’s attacks.
On the way there, Lucy and Susan have an interesting conversation:
“Such a horrible idea has come into my head, Su.”
“What’s that?”
“Wouldn’t it be dreadful if some day, in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you’d never know which were which?”
“What’s that?”
“Wouldn’t it be dreadful if some day, in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you’d never know which were which?”
Something interesting to think about. I wonder what exactly was going on in C.S Lewis’ mind as he wrote that… what he was thinking? Prince Caspian was written in 1949 and published in 1951… perhaps, C.S. Lewis was thinking of the Nazi concentration camps where thousands were cruelly murdered during World War II. Perhaps, he was simply thinking of the fallen nature of mankind without a Savior. I can’t say for sure, but I just found that interesting.
As the four children and Trumpkin travel on their way to find Caspian, they find that the land has changed somewhat in the thousand years that they’ve been away. They get terribly lost and wind up on the edge of a gorge. At last, Lucy sees Aslan in the distance beckoning her to follow him, but none of the others see him. They put it to a vote – whether to proceed down the gorge or follow the way Lucy claims Aslan showed her.
Susan and Trumpkin instantly vote against Lucy. Peter votes against Lucy. Surprisingly, Edmund is the only one who backs her up.
“Well, there’s just this,” said Edmund, speaking quickly and turning a little red. “When we first discovered Narnia a year ago – or a thousand years ago, whichever it is – it was Lucy who discovered it first and none of us would believe her. I was the worst of the lot, I know. Yet she was right after all. Wouldn’t it be fair to believe her this time? I vote for going up.”
Hooray Edmund! You learned your lesson last time. It takes a lot of humility in order to be able to admit a previous fault and learn from it.
In the end, the five end up proceeding down the gorge, away from where Lucy saw Aslan. They run straight into a Telmarine outpost and are forced to retreat as the arrows fly after them. Returning to the gorge, they camp for the night. Lucy wakes up and discovers Aslan in the woods.
He says: “You have work in hand, and much time has been lost today.”
“Yes, wasn’t it a shame?” said Lucy. “I saw you all right. They wouldn’t believe me. They’re all so…”
From somewhere deep inside Aslan’s body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
“I’m sorry,” said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. “I didn’t mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”
The lion looked straight into her eyes.
“Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t mean it was? How could I – I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don’t look at me like that… oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn’t have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?”
Aslan said nothing.
“Yes, wasn’t it a shame?” said Lucy. “I saw you all right. They wouldn’t believe me. They’re all so…”
From somewhere deep inside Aslan’s body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
“I’m sorry,” said Lucy, who understood some of his moods. “I didn’t mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”
The lion looked straight into her eyes.
“Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t mean it was? How could I – I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don’t look at me like that… oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn’t have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?”
Aslan said nothing.
“You mean,” said Lucy rather faintly, “that it would have turned out all right – somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?”
“To know what would have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No. Nobody is ever told that.”
How interesting. Like Adam and Eve, Lucy’s first response is to blame the others. Isn’t that usually our first response too? But Aslan makes it very clear that she was only responsible for herself and for her own actions. Even if the others would not listen, she should have listened. Even though the others would not follow, she should have followed. It is the same with us.
Sometimes it is so hard to go against the crowd. But you know what? We are not responsible for what they do. But we are responsible for what we do. And even when no one else will go with us, even if no one else will do what is right, still we must obey. Even if it means walking alone. Yet, like Lucy, we are never alone, even if “no one” else goes with us – Christ is with us.
Like Lucy, we can never know what would have happened if we had done the right thing… but I’d rather not have to try and guess, I’d rather simply do the right thing in the first place. Unfortunately, it’s harder than it sounds, isn’t it?
Aslan gives Lucy another chance. How amazing is that? Even though she had failed once, he did not give up on her, but rather, gave her another opportunity to make the choice. So many times we fail… and so many times we are given second chances… and we fail again… but thankfully, Lucy did not fail.
“Now, child,” said Aslan, when they had left the trees behind them, “I will wait here. Go and wake the others and tell them to follow. If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone.”
Obediently, Lucy returns to the others and proceeds to wake them up, telling them that Aslan is there and wants them to follow him. Again Edmund proves to be Lucy’s ally, believing her immediately and trying to get the others to come along. Peter gives in a little more reluctantly. Susan absolutely refuses. Trumpkin declares it is all nonsense, (he doesn’t believe in lions) but he will follow the High King.
Here again, we see another truth. Lucy was told to deliver a message and she delivered it. She was not responsible for the actions of those she told… simply for her own actions and her own obedience. Likewise, we are called to deliver a message:
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
Proverbs 24:11-12 “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not He who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who guards your life know it? Will He not repay each person according to what He has done.”
We are not responsible for the response of those we tell, but we are responsible for our own actions… our own obedience… for delivering the message. Just something to think about.
It is interesting that for a time Lucy is the only one who sees Aslan as they follow him across the gorge. Then gradually, the others see him in the order of their willingness to follow him. Edmund is next, then Peter, lastly Susan then Trumpkin.
At last they arrive at Aslan’s How. Aslan keeps Susan and Lucy with him and sends the two boys with Trumpkin on into the How where things have started to head south…
Concerned that the expected help has not yet arrived, Caspian convened a council of war.
Nikabrik is extremely vocal, claiming that, “Either Aslan is dead, or he is not on our side.”
So often this is the response of many when their prayers are not answered as quickly as they had hoped. “Well, I didn’t get what I wanted yet, so God must not hear me… He can’t be there… or if He is, He simply doesn’t care!” What folly!
Psalms 27: 14 tells us to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
You may not have received an answer yet… but the Lord always answers prayer. It might just not be the answer you were hoping for. Perhaps it was a no… or simply not yet. But no matter what, we can rest in the hope that the Lord is Sovereign and His plan is far greater than anything we can imagine. We can take comfort know that He does care for us.
I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Nikabrik continues, “Or else something stronger than himself keeps him back… You may drop Aslan out of the reckoning. I was thinking of someone else… I mean a power so much greater than Aslan’s that it held Narnia spellbound for years and years, if the stories are true…”
“… Yes,” said Nikabrik very slowly and distinctly, “I mean the Witch. Sit down again. Don’t all take fright at a name as if you were children. We want power; and we want a power that will be on our side. As for power, do not the stories say that the Witch defeated Asland and bound him and killed him…”
Nikabrik brings in two evil creatures from the ancient days of Narnia, a hag and a werewolf who desire to call the White Witch up and use her dark power to defeat Miraz. Caspian objects immediately. “So that is your plan, Nikabrik! Black sorcery and the calling up of an accursed ghost…”
Peter, Edmund, and Trumpkin rush in to help just as Caspian and his companions battle with the Nikabrik and his evil friends. In the end, Nikabrik and the two evil creatures are slain before they could commit such a terribly evil deed. Here is a classic case of someone believing that the “end justifies the means…” Like the others, Nikabrik wished to achieve the freedom of Narnia from Miraz’ tyranny, but he sought to do it by evil means. And no matter what, evil means will always corrupt even the most pure “end.”
And now, the two boys team up with Caspian and his army to fight for the restoration of Narnia. In order to gain time, Peter challenges Miraz to a single combat to decide the kingship of Narnia. I’m afraid we’ll have to skip over the whole epic duel, but suffice it to say, that despite Telmarine treachery resulting in a full scale battle, the Narnians are victorious thanks to Aslan awakening the trees.
The Narnians eventually bring the fleeing Telmarines to bay and force them to surrender. Just then, Aslan arrives.
“At the sight of Aslan the cheeks of the Telmarine soldiers became the colour of cold gravy, their knees knocked together, and many fell on their faces. They had not believed in lions and this made their fear greater. Even the Red Dwarfs, who knew that he came as a friend, stood with open mouths and could not speak. Some of the Black Dwarfs, who had been of Nikabrik’s party, began to edge away. But all the Talking Beasts surged round the Lion, with purrs and grunts and squeaks and whinnies of delight, fawning on him with their tails, rubbing against him, touching him reverently with their noses and going to and fro under his body and between his legs. If you have ever seen a little cat loving a big dog whom it knows and trusts, you will have a pretty good picture of their behavior.”
The Talking Beasts approached Aslan with simple trust in their loyal hearts. The others were afraid, but the Talking Beasts knew the One they loved, their Creator and Savior, and could not stay away!
Peter then presents Caspian to Aslan.
“Welcome, Prince,” said Aslan. “Do you fell yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?”
“I-I don’t think I do, Sir,” said Caspian. “I’m only a kid.”
“Good,” said Aslan. “If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not.”
“I-I don’t think I do, Sir,” said Caspian. “I’m only a kid.”
“Good,” said Aslan. “If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not.”
How interesting. The world will tell you that any feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency are wrong. But as Christians, we realize that in ourselves we are inadequate… but in our weakness, Christ is shown to be stronger! We are insufficient, but He is more than sufficient. On our own, we can accomplish nothing, but through Christ, all things are possible.
II Corinthians 12:9a “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…’”
To approach any task with an attitude of pride is a sure recipe for failure! Humility, knowing our true weakness, is necessary! For then, Christ is shown to be strong!
At length, the four children return to their own world – Susan and Peter with the knowledge that they will not be allowed to return to Narnia… but Edmund and Lucy may. And so, I’m afraid, I too must return from the land of Narnia, for a short while at least!
The Narnia books are so wonderful! They are simply written, but ring with such truth! Every time I read them, I find myself wanting more and more!
But, time is running short… the hour is growing late…
So farewell to Narnia for now. I hope to be back soon!
Oh and there’s some exciting news in a new post on my other blog Stars in the Universe titled: I will go!
~ A Servant of the King
To the praise of His glory!
Jake says
Awesome post. :) I missed the Narnia posts…
A Servant of the King says
Yeah, it took me a while to get back to Narnia. I've been so busy!