Reading the Christian Symbols in C.S Lewis’ the Last Battle
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Volume 8 No. 2, Agustus 2008 : 112-122 READING THE CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS IN C.S LEWIS’ THE LAST BATTLE Febrina Maranatha Christian University Prof. Drg. Suria Sumantri 65 Bandung 40164 Phone: (62 22) 2012186, Fax: (62 22) 2015154 Received/Accepted: 13 June 2008/10 July 2008 ABSTRACT The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis is known as children fiction; nevertheless, it is also a story rich in Christian values. This article discusses the last book of the series of Narnia, The Last Battle, which is often said to contain symbolism connected to the Book of Revelation in the Bible. My reading of the novel, however, would reveal that the symbolism is not related exclusively to the Book of Revelation alone but to the other parts of the Bible as well. The discussion will focus on the four main characters of The Last Battle, each of which carries symbolic meaning related to the Bible. As the conclusion, I find that Lewis actually wants to convey the message of Christian salvation through the symbolism in his novel. KEYWORDS Symbol, Symbolism, Character, Christianity, Bible 1. INTRODUCTION C.S Lewis’ best known work, The Chronicles of Narnia, is a series of seven fantasy novels for children. It is often considered a classic of children's literature, which strongly conveys a Christian message to its readers. Peter J. Schakel (1979) in his essay “C. S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia: The "Correct" Order for Reading?” convincingly argues that “the seven books … describe the emotional climate of Christian commitment at various ages, 112 Volume 8 No. 2, Agustus 2008 : 112-122 from very young childhood to old age and death”. Nevertheless, it is also widely accepted that the books can be read for their adventure, color and richness of ideas alone. Lewis himself is well-known as an expert of Christian apologetics as well as a fiction writer. Therefore, it is not surprising to find out that “Lewis used his religious background and beliefs to create Narnia and its characters, along with the conflicts and experiences that they go through” (Archer, 2008). The Last Battle, which is the seventh book of the chronicle, ends and completes the whole series. The book is rich with symbolism related to the Bible, especially the Book of Revelation, which is the last book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible revealing the coming apocalypse of the world. The evident connection between the two texts has been widely recognized, such as by Mervyn Nicholson (1998) in his essay “C.S. Lewis And The Scholarship of Imagination in E. Nesbit and Rider Haggard” stating that “The Last Battle is an apocalyptic vision and, properly speaking, a tour de force. To present a vision of the end of the world, with its Biblical symbolism and references to the book of Revelation, in the form of a children's story, is a remarkable achievement.” (Nicholson). Maureen Archer (2008) also points out that: The final chapters of [The Last Battle] are almost identical to the final chapters in Revelation in the Bible …. Narnia collapsed and was destroyed as it became nothing more than deserted land. Water crashed over the land and covered the area that was once the beloved Narnia in front of Aslan, just as "the earth and sky fled from his presence" in the Bible. (Revelation 20:11). Although it is undeniable that most events mentioned in the novel alludes to the Book of Revelation, I find that the symbolism employed in the novel connects with the whole Bible rather than the Book of Revelation only. Thus, my article is written with the purpose to provide a deeper understanding of The Last Battle as a work that conveys the general Biblical values rather than as a mere allegory of the Book of Revelation. Symbols are depicted as “something that means more than what it is. It is an object, a person, a situation, an action or some other item that has a literal meaning in the story but suggests or represents other meanings as well.” 113 Reading The Christian Symbols in C.S Lewis’ The Last Battle (Febrina) (Perrine, 1978, p. 216). I will focus my study of symbolism on the four main characters in The Last Battle, namely Aslan, Shift, Puzzle and King Tirian. To interpret the symbolic meaning of these characters, I will use the New International Version Bible as the reference. 2. READING THE SYMBOLIC CHARACTERS IN THE LAST BATTLE The first character that becomes the focus of my reading is Aslan, known as the Great Lion. Aslan is the leader of Narnia but obviously he is not only an ordinary leader because he symbolizes divine authority rather than just earthly leadership. The divinity is clearly symbolized by the light that surrounds Aslan whenever he appears. “[A] brightness flashed behind them. All turned … There stood … huge and real, the golden Lion, Aslan himself …” (Lewis, 1956, p.183). Unmistakably, light is commonly associated with divinity or God. James 1: 8 says that God is “the Father of the heavenly lights”, and 1 John 1:5 says that “God is light”. By describing the appearance of Aslan in the light, I believe that C.S Lewis wants to emphasize the divine quality of Aslan. The divine quality of Aslan is clearly worshipped by the Narnians as they “were kneeling in a circle before his forepaws and burying their hands and faces in his mane as he stooped his great head to touch them with his tongue.” (Lewis, 1956, p. 183) Aslan is different compared to other creatures of Narnia, both talking animals and human beings, not only because of the way he appears but also because he holds the right to judge all of Narnians according to their conducts. On the day Narnia ends, Aslan holds the final judgement for all Narnians. “And at last … racing up the hill for dear life, by thousands and by millions, came all kinds of creatures … And all these ran up to the doorway where Aslan stood.” (p. 191). Two things happen to them when they all look straight in Aslan’s face. Some who are not faithful look at Aslan’s face in “fear and hatred” (p. 193) whereas some others who are faithful followers of Aslan “[looked] in the face of Aslan and loved him” (p. 193). Those unfaithful creatures “swerved to their right, [Aslan’s] left, and disappeared into his huge black shadow” (p. 193) while Aslan’s faithful followers “came in at the Door, on Aslan’s right.” (p. 193). The door is the entrance to Aslan’s country, the eternal world that will not draw to an end. 114 Volume 8 No. 2, Agustus 2008 : 112-122 I believe that such a judgement is inspired by the judgement recorded in Matthew 25:33-35 which says “When the Son of Man comes in His glory ... All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” The Bible says that those who are in God’s right will enter the Kingdom and those who are in His left depart to the eternal darkness. The right of judgement in Aslan symbolizes the unlimited authority of God, the divine authority. This right immediately sets Aslan apart and higher than the rest of Narnia, thus he symbolizes the divine authority, which rules over and judges his subjects. I believe this symbolism is again inspired by the Bible in which it is stated that “God Himself is judge” (Psalm 50:6). And that God “will judge the world” (Acts 17:31). The idea of divine authority has been symbolized most clearly in the character of Aslan because he is addressed as the king of kings of Narnia and he is the one who could provide justice and righteousness for the Narnians who have lived in chaos under the rule of Shift, the wicked Ape. Aslan is described as the majestic holder of the authority over Narnia. Aslan also symbolizes divine love. Love has been depicted most clearly and beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” These are the characteristics of divine love. No human being can fulfill these perfect requirements of love, except the divine God Himself. Aslan, nevertheless, seems to be the embodiment of all the characteristics of perfect love. Although he is rightfully capable of judging his subjects, he is also compassionate and forgiving. Aslan’s compassion and forgiveness is revealed when he tries to help the Dwarfs who are trapped in their own darkness. They have betrayed Aslan and choose not to believe in him anymore. Although the Dwarfs live in a beautiful meadow, their visions are dark because their minds are just as dark. In his compassion, Aslan “came close to the Dwarfs and gave them a low growl” (Lewis, 1956, p. 183) so that they can hear his voice and be set free from their dark mind. However, the Dwarfs get scared instead of recognizing Aslan’s compassion towards them. 115 Reading The Christian Symbols in C.S Lewis’ The Last Battle (Febrina) Seeing that the Dwarfs fail to recognize his voice, Aslan tries to give them “a glorious feast … But it wasn’t much use” (p.