Lucy is held up as the main heroine of the story. Lucy is almost useless in battle but she is commended because of her faith or keenness to see and follow Aslan. This conveys that God is not so much interested in results or efficiency but in attitudes and virtues.
Those who are evil are characterised by their selfishness and practicality. Being practical or pragmatic is a euphemism for unethical behaviour and caring about tasks / achievements over people. Those who predicated as "practical" are The White, the Ape (?) and, lastly and tragically, Susan.
Growing old vs. Maturing
Age is also inversely valuable. Youthfulness, or rather childlikeness, represents purity of faith and trust in Aslan. Lucy embodies this. This is contrasted with growing old, which mitigates faith. When the returned to Narnia a second time, they considered themselves more grown up, having ruled for many years already; so they trusted themselves over Aslan and got lost. Peter and Susan were turned away from Narnia because they got older (but didn't grow in faithfulness, it's not about their numerical age, since they grew much older in years in LW&W). Susan, who stops believing, was keen to "race on to the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and then stop there as long as she can". Maturity is measured by how big Aslan appears.
"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."Dignity & Speech
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
Speech is an defining characteristic. The Talking animals are the leaders of their kind. Speech is a privilege which makes the creature unique and precious (killing a dumb animal would not constitute murder). Aslan's leaders are truthful while the evil characters characteristically lie. (Maybe Lewis was making a statement about the role of language in our nature / imago deo / human dignity.)
The Lion is a gentleman
Aslan never forces loyalty. He may be firm (roaring) or even shake people up (literally, with Trumpkin the Red Dwarf), but he never makes people submit to his rule. In the end, he gives each person what they choose.
Universalism?
I suppose Lewis did leave himself open to the charge of universalism or pluralism (where people of different faith are finally incorporated into his kingdom). Aslan includes an ardent servant of Tash, Emeth (which means "Truth" in Hebrew), and accepted his worship to Tash as worship to him.
... Two clues against universalism. One. The Dwarfs, who once acknowledged Aslan, finally refused to see him or appreciate his gifts. It shows that Lewis didn't see heaven as having an open door. Two. Despite his prior commitment to a false god, Emeth still needed to recognise Aslan as the true God, repents and follows him, a la eleventh hour.
Freedom
Aslan is not a tame lion. It's always dangerous to liken God to something created. But this is a glorious description sanctioned by Isaiah, of God's freedom, power and unpredictability. He's not safe, but he is good!
2 comments:
Re universalism -- I think CSL is on record (elsewhere, in straight theology writing) as believing in the possibility of the "anonymous Christian" (ie. saved by Jesus' death but not necessarily knowing about the mechanism).
That's helpful.
I was initially annoyed, then had a second thought. Now annoyed again!
What are your thoughts on this?
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