The Narnia Code


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jz2qp
A new book and DVD suggests there is a deep logic behind the fabric of the Narnia Chronicles, that has until now been hidden from the reader. Michael Ward's thesis seems to suggest that CS Lewis' understanding of medieval cosmology contributed heavily to the way he wrote of the land of Narnia, constructing each o the Chronicles around the nature of a different planet. If The Silver Chair is Lunar, Lion/Witch/Wardrobe is Jovian(Jupiter), DawnTreader is Solar and Prince Caspian is Martian. Each planet contributes to the atmosphere and storyline of the book, with the planet's influence on the children/humans in the main view.
For example, Jupiter is said to be a planet of kingliness, an is described in one of Lewis' poems as 'winter ended and forgiveness given'. So we see in the story how 4 children travel to Narnia to fulfil a prophecy of winter defeated and Edmund restored and forgiven, the four children taking their places on the thrones of Cair Paravel.
The Silver Chair takes place in a sunless northern waste, and eventually underground were the moon has replaced the sun in the main light source. Interestingly the movement of the planets features heavily in many of the books, not least Prince Caspian, in heralding the fates of many characters.
All the way through however, Lewis does not compromise on the character of Aslan, a Persian word for "lion", who represents the Jesus Christ figure of the Bible throughout. Neither does he suggest, apparently, that astrology has any legitimacy because he may have used it so heavily. Rather, what seems to be suggested is that Lewis describes a world where the whole nature, atmosphere, character and order of the created world, including its occupants, tell of a greater story, a transcendant creator, or a larger power at work.
Did Lewis hide his sources so well in his work? Is there such a thing as the Narnia Code?

Here is a starter for ten:
the books are worthy of another re-read in the light of this theory, and it seems Lewis may well have been a much more subtle and accomplished children's author than many have given him credit for.

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