Something Wonderful to Read

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As I visited and revisited Narnia in elementary school, I did not notice the Christian religious symbolism that others find so obvious. Consider who I was--a young Jewish girl, only vaguely aware of certain aspects of the Christian narrative. For me, the stories were just that: fabulous stories--of magic, love, friendship, courage, and loyalty, plus the age-old conflict of good and evil, of course. To me, there was nothing particularly "religious" about that, since nearly all of the really interesting children's books, fairy tales, stories, and myths I had encountered are also about good and evil. No issue seems to be a more fundamental concern of humankind.

When I went to college and discussed the Chronicles with friends, some of them challenged me: How could I, as a feminist, tolerate Lewis's old-fashioned, rather demeaning view of women? Like Tolkien, C.S. Lewis saw a "place" for females--not useless or unimportant exactly, but clearly secondary and fundamentally passive. And in addition, how could I, as a Jew, get past the "obvious Christian imagery"? At first, I was inclined to scoff at this. I saw it as an over-intellectualizing of books I had read purely for pleasure. I patiently and (I thought) tolerantly explained that, with regard to the first issue, literature should be appreciated and enjoyed on its own terms and in its own social/historical context. Regarding the second issue--the Christian elements--I explained, one could appreciate the books, as I did, on a simpler level, as exciting tales that enriched the imagination.

Upon reflection, of course, I had to admit that the religious allegory exists, and by the design of the author, who was, after all, a deeply religious man and the author of other Christian texts. For some readers, it probably is the Christian imagery that gives the books their power and importance; for me, however, their importance rests in their ability to fuel a child's imagination.

Long after I recognized their symbolism, the Narnia books remain for me "something wonderful to read." I read them to my children, and to my third grade classes when I was a teacher in Watkins Glen, NY. The books certainly stimulated lively conversations. We loved the idea of talking animals (even talking trees); we imagined the thrill of wardrobe cabinets, paintings, and rings that can transport you to enchanted lands; we marveled at candy so delicious that it enslaves those who eat it; we delighted in the idea that children can be kings and queens defending their kingdom from the wicked. We talked about good and evil, courage and cowardice, morality, magic, selfishness, generosity and love. These are the themes of Narnia that still live in my memory.

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