a book for all ages

What struck me most when reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the middle paragraph on page 185 (forgive me for not typing it out--it is quite lengthy). It is the scene where Aslan has just come back to life and the first thing he does is playfully chase Susan and Lucy around the Table.

The significance and beauty of this scene lies in its appeal to all ages. Lewis writes, “It was a romp as no one has ever had except in Narnia; and whether it was more like playing with a thunderstorm or playing with a kitten Lucy could never make up her mind” (185). For the children who had witnessed the moments leading up to Aslan’s death, the reality of the Lion is overwhelming; but rather than going straight to battle Aslan provides a touching alternative – first the three rejoice his resurrection.

For the children, it is almost as if the pet they had had all their lives has died and yet somehow miraculously come back to life. Although this seems to be an understatement – since Aslan is certainly more than just a pet – this is the aspect of the scene that appeals to children. The list of verbs used by Lewis certainly alludes most commonly to child’s play: catch, diving, tossing, rolled, etc. As Prof. Jensen pointed out in class, children often can recite the facts taught to them about the Bible, but their understanding of what the Gospel really means does not develop until later on. By including this poignant scene of Lucy, Susan, and Aslan chasing each other and rolling in the lush, green grass around the Stone Table, Lewis attempts to include the children in the miracle of Christ’s restoration.

Alternatively, characterizing Aslan as a thunderstorm (in the above quote) reveals the Lion’s other side – one of authoritative intensity. Furthermore, the Lion illustrates this greatly through his roaring after the gaming has ended. Lewis describes the roaring Aslan’s face as “so terrible that they [Lucy and Susan] did not dare to look at it” (185). Older fans of the Narnia novels realize this is the key to Aslan’s representation of God on earth (Christ). Christ was both human and divine. Through describing Aslan as both a kitten and a thunderstorm, Lewis may be alluding to this significant distinction. Also – one last point – it may even be argued that since Lucy is the one who notes this, she is crossing into the more knowledgeable period of her life where belief in God takes on more import than memorizing Bible facts.