The Lessons of Narnia

Questions and answers about the moral messages of Narnia, its appropriateness for kids, and using it to spark discussions

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Alcohol Use in Narnia

When I reread the Chronicles as an adult I was taken aback by the prevalence of beer, wine, and liquor. How do I explain that to my children?

Pints pour and corks pop throughout the Chronicles, including "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." While dining with the children, Mr. Beaver ï¿½sticks to beer.ï¿½ Later, Mrs. Beaver passes around a ï¿½flask out of which everyone drank somethingï¿½it made one cough and sputter a little and stung the throat, but it also made you feel deliciously warm after you swallowed itï¿½and everyone went straight to sleep.ï¿½

And yet, the truth is that the story strand of imbibing will be entirely missed by plenty of readers, your kids perhaps among them. Plus, In addition, recording a behavior or choice is not the same thing as endorsing it, and reading a story that references beer or wine isnï¿½t likely to lead a child to get drunk on Friday night, especially when thereï¿½s a loving, open, ready-to-talk parent reading alongside.

In fact, the beverage issues throughout the different books in the series can easily be turned into important family conversations:

You might feel smarter or stronger on too much alcohol, but what youï¿½ll be is a bumbling fool. Take in a little too much alcohol and youï¿½ll believe what the giants at Harfang told Puddleglum in "The Silver Chair": ï¿½The more you drink, the bigger a man you are.ï¿½ Itï¿½s a line most kids these days have to deal with by the sixth grade, if not before.

You might think you can hide the negative consequences of too much alcohol, but you only risk being the last to know. You might point out, if your family hasnï¿½t already noticed, that the hard liquor mentioned in "The Magicianï¿½s Nephew" is always shown as imbibed in secret, at irrational times, and in excess.

You might think alcohol (or any addictive substance) puts you in control, but the truth is youï¿½re at risk of becoming its slave. Thereï¿½s probably never been a generation more aware of the dangers of addiction than the one coming of age today. The good news here is that youï¿½re not likely to have to deliver much parenting advice. Just let the story dramatize the issues.

Narnia's Enduring Popularity

Why is Narnia so popular with kids and adults alike, and how can we as parents best use this shared love of Narnia as a shared interest with our children?

From a kidï¿½s perspective, whatï¿½s there not to like about Lewisï¿½s fantasies? Talking animals, evil witches, wondrous beings and places (goofy dufflepuds, mysterious underground lakes, friendly dragons), and fantastic adventures. Plus, in Narnia, children really matter. They fight in battle, embark on dangerous quests, and rule kingdoms. Thereï¿½s no school, naptime, or boring grown-up rules! And unlike most fantasy stories, set entirely in a pretend world, the kids in the Chronicles travel back and forth between our world and Narnia. A young reader thinks: These are kids just like me! If only I can find the right wardrobe, train station, or picture to travel through...!ï¿½

Older readers love Narnia for all same reasons and more. Who doesnï¿½t enjoy rediscovering the world of childhood? Interestingly, Lewis never liked the distinction "children's literature." "Most of the great fantasies and fairy tales were not addressed to children at all, but to everyone," he wrote. And "No book is really worth reading at the age of 10 which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of 50..."

All this is good news for families. Since the Chronicles appeal to all ages, theyï¿½re perfect for reading together. Chapters are short enough that parents can easily read one chapter a night with their kids. A family guide (like Roar!) can add to the fun and encourage great conversations.

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