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Home , Aslan, Miraz, Narnia (country), Narnia (world), Prince Caspian, Trumpkin

Know i ng & Doing A Teaching Quarterly for Discipleship of Heart and Mind This article originally appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of Knowing & Doing. C.S. Lewis Institute

Coming to a Screen Near You: by Art Lindsley C.S.Lewis Institute Senior Fellow

he film version of C.S. Lewis’sPrince Cas- world. This return, we find out, is in response to pian, the next in the series, is due the blowing of a horn given to Susan in the first to be released in May. It remains to be book, only to be used in extreme situations. This seen if the sequel will do better than the return is the subtitle of the book, The Return to originalT film,The , the Witch, and the Wardrobe Narnia, and a key theme. (C.S. (now listed as the 26th all-time best-grossing film). Lewis’s stepson) says: If the pattern for the Narnia films is similar to that of trilogy, it will do bet- A theme of return became a key part of the story. Jack ter. The Fellowship of the Ring (first in the Lord of didn’t look at return in the obvious physical sense, but the Rings series) is number 14 of all went deeper to consider a restoration, time, The Two Towers (second in the a restoration of those things that are series) is number 7, and The Return true—true life, true leadership, and of the King (third in the series) is mostly, true faith. Prince Caspian now number 2. tackles that idea, and broader themes Though Prince Caspian may do of the battle between good and evil, better at the box office, its message spiritual obedience and discern- may not be as readily understood ment, and ultimately joy – a festive as that of The Lion, the Witch, and joy when what was wrong has been the Wardrobe. In the latter, we have put right again. Narnia rescued from the grip of the , who makes it “always C.S. Lewis makes the point winter, never Christmas.” In Prince in one of his letters that Prince Caspian, it is summer but without Caspian is about “the restoration a Fourth of July. Narnia has been of the true religion after corrup- taken over by an evil King . tion.” Although the victory was The talking animals are in hid- won in Book One, a spiritual en- ing, and the trees are silenced. The tropy went into effect, leading to King (knowing better) says that a decline and loss of faith. In fact, there was never an , no talk- one central theme of the novel is ing animals, no High Kings and the importance of faith (trust) and Queens such as Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. the consequences of unbelief. King Miraz is the Everything has deteriorated and is in desperate ultimate example of willful spiritual blindness. need of restoration. He knows that Aslan exists, that the talking ani- Even though only about a year has passed mals are real, and that there were High Kings and since Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy have en- Queens —Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—yet he tered Narnia, their return (from the platform of tells everyone, including Prince Caspian, that such a train station) puts them back into Narnia many beliefs are “fairy tales.” Miraz has not only killed years later. Time is different in Narnia than in our Prince Caspian’s father, but is willing to kill the 2 Coming to a Screen Near You: Prince Caspian

Prince (when the Queen has a child). He denies tance of diverse races working together: humans, what he knows is true and wants everyone else to dwarfs, , giants, badgers, and even the believe the lies. Other prime examples of unbelief trees. It is through their cooperation that they are are Nikabrik (the ) and leaders in Miraz’s able to overcome Miraz’s forces. Cornelius, Caspi- army, Lord Glozell and Lord Sopespian. Nikabrik an’s tutor, is looked down on by Nikabrik because is willing to use a witch to call up from the dead he is a half and halfer—half dwarf and half hu- the White Witch (who made it always winter) in man. It is clear that this kind of racism is wrong. order to beat King Miraz. When asked whether Yet another theme is the importance of celebra- this might make things worse, he replied that she tion. When the five (Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, always treated the Dwarfs well, and that’s all he and ) meet Aslan, there is a scene where was concerned for—his own people. He also didn’t Aslan roars. Beings from everywhere are awak- believe in Aslan, or the stories of High Kings or ened to celebrate and worship Aslan: , the Queens. Glozell and Sopespian believe only when river god, rabbits, , owls, dogs, hedgehogs, they see Edmund and Peter, and conspire to kill and trees. The crowd dances around Aslan. One King Miraz—stabbing him in the back. young man was dressed in fawn skin and had Lucy is the prime example of belief and trust. vine leaves wreathed in his hair. Edmund said She alone sees Aslan, who indicates which di- about him, “There’s a chap who might do any- rection they are to go. When she tells the others, thing.” There were lots of girls with him as wild they don’t believe her and vote to go the opposite as he was. They all romped and played games. We direction. Rather than go by herself in the direc- find out that the young chap’s name is Bacchus tion Aslan wants, Lucy follows the rest. They have (the Greek god). Susan says about him, “I wouldn’t all kinds of problems and come to a dead end. have felt safe with Bacchus and all his wild girls In the end, they have to go back the way Aslan if we’d met them without Aslan!” “I should think (and Lucy) wanted. As they sleep that night, Lucy not,” said Lucy. wakes up and walks into the wood. She sees Aslan In another scene, early on the morning before again, and he directs her to wake the others and the battle, Aslan says to the girls, “We will make tell them to follow her as she follows Aslan. Again a holiday.” The story has Aslan leading the ani- they are reluctant to believe her (just like with the mals, Bacchus and his leaping, rushing, wardrobe) but eventually follow. One by one they and turning somersaults. Note that it says, “Aslan see Aslan and believe Lucy. The last to see him is leading,” they proceed to bring freedom to Nar- the doubter Trumpkin. nia from those things that have diminished life. Trumpkin is a dwarf who was sent to find help, Lewis says in : but he has been reluctant to believe in Aslan. He is like doubting Thomas. Finally, when Trumpkin The settled happiness and security which we all de- meets the lion, Aslan says, “Son of , shall we sire, God withholds from us by the very nature of be friends?” Trumpkin replies with the only word the world: but joy, pleasure and merriment He has he says to Aslan in the whole book, “Yes.” scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have Another theme in Prince Caspian is obedience. plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. One example is what Aslan teaches Lucy. When she wakes the others, she is to tell them to follow Celebration is something regularly found in this time, and Aslan says, “If they will not, then the Old Testament feasts. In Deuteronomy 14:24-27 you at least must follow me alone.” They do follow it even says that at times it is appropriate to use her reluctantly. Later, when Peter meets Aslan, he a tithe (a tenth of our income) to throw a feast says, “I’m so sorry. I’ve been leading them wrong with everything we desire. It does point out that ever since we started and especially yesterday when we do so everyone is to be included: ser- morning.” Aslan’s response is, “My dear son.” vants, aliens, widows, and orphans. Jesus was no Thus, it is through obediently following that it is stranger to feasts—sometimes accused of being possible for the victory to be won. with those who ate and drank too much. There Another important theme is community. Par- certainly are times to save and exercise caution, ticular emphasis could be placed on the impor- but there are also times to dance and feast. Coming to a Screen Near You: Prince Caspian 3

Consistent with Lewis’s emphasis on Jesus • When Cornelius and Caspian are up on the being “the become fact,” it is not surpris- tower roof, they hear the waterfall at Bea- ing to see mythical gods being referenced. Lewis versdam, perhaps alluding to the gift of defined myth as “a real though unfocused gleam an improved dam to Mr. Beaver by Father of divine truth falling on human imagination.” Christmas (in the first book). He saw mythical stories and characters as cosmic • The evil cut down the trees, simi- pointers to Christ. Jesus catches up in himself all lar to the forces of Sauron in Lord of the Rings. the best of the and mythical characters. The trees get their revenge in a similar fash- Note that throughout Prince Caspian the mythical ion. gods such as Bacchus and follow Aslan’s • Susan the Gentle turns into Susan the lead and are under his authority. The dancing and Grouch. the feasting after the victory is described in detail • Aslan does not condemn doubt. When Aslan (particularly the foods). meets Trumpkin, he says, “Where is this little Devin Brown, in his book, Inside Prince Caspian, Dwarf…who doesn’t believe in ?” Lat- notes a couple of other themes. First, evil appears er it says that Aslan “liked the Dwarf very rarely as evil but in some other form. Second, help much.” often comes in an unanticipated form and in a • Lewis liked nicknames. In Prince Caspian, strange manner, perhaps only recognized as help Trumpkin is called DLF (Dear Little Friend), when looking back. They all expect Aslan to ap- a kind of inside joke. In Lewis’s life Tolkien pear as he did before in the first book and, with was called Tollers, the pub Eagle and the a roar, defeat the enemy. Aslan says: “But things Child was called the and the Baby, Dr. never happen the same way twice.” Havard was called UQ or “Useless Quack,” Other interesting insights: and his work on 16th century English litera- • Although all the others get gifts, Edmund ture called OHEL. goes through Prince Caspian without a gift. While I write all this analysis of themes, I He wasn’t there when Father Christmas gave am aware of what Lewis might say to me. “Let them gifts in the first book. the pictures teach the morals.” Perhaps you can • The kids have skills, e.g., sword fighting teach by not trying to teach. Analysis should only and archery, from their time as Kings and come after enjoyment. Enjoy the movie and enjoy Queens. The gifts gradually return. the book. Then you will be in the position to talk • Trumpkin’s expletives always start with about it. We will be in the position again of being the same sound: “whistles and whirligigs,” able to use C.S. Lewis’s popularity to open doors “thimbles and thunderstorms,” “tulips and of discussion about eternal things. tortoiseshells,” etc. • Often in Lewis’s stories the heroes or heroines Art Lindsley is a Senior Fellow with are either without a parent (or both parents) the C.S. Lewis Institute, where he has served since 1987. Formerly, he was as Lewis was when he was young, or they are Director of Educational Ministries in the background, rarely mentioned. of the Ligonier Valley Study Center • Queen Prunaprismia’s name likely comes and Staff Specialist with Coalition from a well-known passage from Charles for Christian Outreach, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Lindsley received a Dickens’ book, Little Dorrit, where prunes B.S. (Chemistry) from Seattle Pacific and prisms are mentioned numerous times. University, an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Lewis hated prunes. Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. • When Lewis was young, he had a beloved (Religious Studies) from the University of Pittsburgh. He is author of True Truth: Defending Absolute Truth in a nurse. Relativistic World (IVP, 2004), C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ • Prince Caspian’s nurse is cruelly removed (IVP, 2005), and co-author with R.C. Sproul and John Gerstner from his life by King Miraz for telling him of Classical Apologetics. He and his wife, Connie, and their some of the old stories. The nurse and Prince two boys, Trey and Jonathan, make their home in Arlington, Caspian are reunited towards the end of the Virginia. book. 4 Coming to a Screen Near You: Prince Caspian

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In the legacy of C.S. Lewis, the Institute endeavors to develop disciples who can articulate, defend, and live faith in Christ through personal and public life.

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