The religious symbolism behind the Chronicles of Narnia

[cbayer]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/24865379

21 November 2013 Last updated at 10:01

The religious symbolism behind the Chronicles of Narnia
By Alister McGrath
Profesor of Theology, King's College London


Aslan is a literary Christ figure who plays a pivotal role in the story of Narnia, Professor McGrath says

What's the best children's book of all time? A 2008 survey found most people believed it was C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This opening novel of the Chronicles of Narnia series is widely regarded as its highlight.

Lewis himself would have been surprised at his immense popularity today. Although he had been hugely popular in his lifetime, he was gloomy about his future prospects.

Towards the end of his life, he told friends he expected to be forgotten within a few years of his death. Yet Lewis's books - including the Chronicles of Narnia - sell more strongly today than at any point during his lifetime.

So how did a bachelor Oxford don without any children of his own come to write this classic work? What do people find so intriguing about the Chronicles of Narnia? And why does it retain such an appeal, 50 years after its author's death in November 1963?

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[Warpy]

1. Children don't get the symbolism.

His books continue to sell well because children love a rollicking good story. Only adults pick up on the symbolism behind it.

If you doubt this, reread Huckleberry Finn as an adult. Kids only get the adventure story. Adults notice what Twain was really up to and it's hilarious satire.

[cbayer]

2. I think that's true. Both are books that are read by both adults and children.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Kind of thought this was a "no duh" kind of thing

but apparently people still don't get it.

And, personally, I think Lewis comes no where near to Tolkien. No. Where. Near.

[dimbear]

4. A 2008 survey found most people believed it was C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Skeptic here. It might have come up #1 on the list, no book is put first by a majority. The pool is too rich and broad with the Oz books, Tolkien, Dr. Seuss, so many others.

One reason Narnia gets around so much is grandparents. Ooooh, a Christian book for the grands. None of that skeptical Wizard of Oz stuff.