Article based on Comparative study between The Magicians

Nephew from the Chronicles of Narnia and Book of Genesis from

The Bible.

Ms. Jenita., M.A., M.Phil.

Asst. Prof. Vidya Sagar Women's College,

Chennai. Tamilnadu India

The world of Narnia and the Garden of Eden run parallel to each other. The world of Narnia was introduced in the book of The Magicians Nephew from the Chronicles of Narnia. The themes of creation, original sin and temptation are portrayed in this book. The creation of the world is portrayed in the The Book of Genesis. The Magicians Nephew is the first book in Chronicles of Narnia”. Similarly The Book of Genesis is the first book in the Bible.

In the Book of Genesis from the Bible God created the human being:

The lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and the man became the living being. (2; 7)

Similarly in The Magician Nephew, Aslan the Lion is compared to the God-like being. In the novel C.S. Lewis portrayed Aslan’s entry as:

and The Lion opened his mouth, but no sound came from it: he was breathing out, long, warm breath; it seemed to sway all the beasts as the wind sways a line of trees. (76)

The similarity between God’s creation in the Garden of Eden and Aslan’s entry in the world of Narnia plays an important role. Gods breath gave life to man. Aslan’s breath gave life to animals. www.ijellh.com 490

In the “Book of Genesis” human beings are created in the Garden of Eden. In the Magicians Nephew human beings are introduced into the world of Narnia. The creation of animals in the Garden of Eden are compared to the creation of animals in the world of Narnia. Lewis wrote this novel to fascinate children. So, the animals of Narnia have the ability to speak, which is not seen in Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is compared to the Digory and Polly in the world of Narnia. In the novel, Aslan identifies Digory as the son of Adam and Polly as daughter of Eve.

Adam and Eve are considered as the first human beings on the earth. Digory and Polly are considered as first human beings in the land of Narnia. The land of Narnia was pure and filled with serenity before the entry of Digory and Polly, similarly earth was clean and pure before the creation of Adam and Eve. Digory brought witch into the world of Narnia by his evil act. Eve brought destruction upon the world by her evil act. Jadis, the witch is compared to the serpent from the Book of Genesis.

In the land of Narnia there was a tree in the center of the garden, which is similar to the tree in the Garden of Eden. In the book of Genesis, the tree yields the forbidden fruit. But in contrary the world of Narnia, the tree yields life giving fruit. Aslan ordered the boy to pluck the fruit for the compensation for his evil act. Digory had started his tedious journey to pluck the fruit. The disobedience of Eve and the obedience of Digory are contradictory with each other.

In the Garden of Eden, Eve was tempted by the serpent (snake). In the world of Narnia, Digory was tempted by the witch Jadis. Witch forced Digory to eat the fruit. He was tempted by its smell, taste and it appears just as Eve was tempted by the fruit; If Digory ate the fruit at that instant, he would have been blessed with endless youth, this is similar to the snake which tempted Eve to consume the fruit in order to receive the knowledge. In paradoxical way Digory overcomes the temptation unlike Eve.

Lewis gave importance to the children and their innocence. Difference between obedience and disobedience are discussed here. Obedience brings blessings to Digory. Disobedience brings curse to Eve. Children are close to God rather than adults. Children are moralistic when compared to adults. Eve as a woman, she falls in the trap of Satan. But Digory www.ijellh.com 491

as a child overcomes the temptation flew towards Aslan with a fruit. Finally, Digory as a compliment for his obedience, was awarded with an apple as an antidote for his mother’s illness. Digory’s earnest desire has been fulfilled.

Thus the comparison between the “world of Narnia” and the “Garden of Eden” have unique similarities. In the book The Magicians Nephew Lewis portrays the innocent act of the children. Though they are children, they overcome the temptation of Satan. Eve as a matured women go astray by the temptation of Satan. It is the lesson for the adults to have the innocence heart to overcome temptations.

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Work cited:

Lewis . C. S. The Chronicles of Narnia. London: Harpercollins publishers, 1950. Print

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