Chronicles: The Last Battle

We did it--we finished the Chronicles of Narnia Series! It's taken us a little over a year to read them all aloud. We had some delays in finishing the final book, so we did a lot of catch up this weekend. The last book is not my favorite in the series, mostly because it addresses issues that arise in the last days, like a false Christ, death, and a lot of confusion. However, there are still a lot of lessons that I like from the book.

For instance, there are two "gods" in the Chronicles of Narnia: Tash and Aslan. Tash represents the devil, and Aslan represents Christ. In this last book, one man who believed in a God named Tash but who did good deeds, was accepted by Aslan and allowed to come into Aslan's kingdom. However, an ape who did terrible things while claiming to be a representative of Aslan was taken by Tash.

I also liked how in the "next life" in these books, you could go further up and further in and find a higher glory within each world, but which was bigger than you originally thought. It was great that all the characters from every book met in the end, and were all in the "highest part" of Aslan's kingdom.

As far as the "judgement" goes, I thought it was interesting how some animals went to Aslan's left and others to his right, depending on whether they accepted him or not. The last few chapters of the book are full of symbolism, which is what makes it a great ending to the series.

Rhetorically,

Rebekah

Chronicles: The Silver Chair

We did it!! We finished Book #6, and as always, I have a few comments to make.

First, this book is a good representation of life on earth. Aslan gives two children (Eustace and Jill) a mission to accomplish and provides them with four signs in order to guide them along the way. Aslan tells the kids to repeat the signs often, so they wouldn't forget them. What a great metaphor for the scriptures- they are given to us to guide us in this life. We're encouraged to read them often, in order to regain perspective.  So every week, Matt and I would re-read the signs before beginning that week's chapters.

Secondly, my favorite part of the book is when the villain is trying to convince the children and their guide that Aslan and the world they come from doesn't exist. She points out that they only describe Aslan and their world based on metaphors, and that they could have just dreamed the whole thing up. The children start to believe her, until their trusty guide, Puddleglum, says: "Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things--trees and grass and sun and moon and starts and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world."

Sometimes our testimonies are questioned by those who claim that we can't prove what we believe in. They say it could all just be made up. Well, if that's the case, I have to say that my belief in the purpose of this life and the life after this one is a whole lot more encouraging than believing otherwise. Which is why, even if it isn't true, I'll stick to my "play-world."

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Chronicles: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

We finished book 5 this week! Since we read the books on Sunday, it's so interesting to see how the different stories relate to the gospel. For example, in this book, there is an island with creatures called "dufflepods" who are rather stupid. They blame all their problems and burdens on a magician who rules the island, and then you find out that the magician actually has them do things to support themselves. Similarly, we're learning about Moses and the children of Israel. All they did was complain to Moses and blame God for their problems, not realizing their blessings.

One symbol I thought was interesting in the book is when they went to the island of dreams, they were only able to leave the darkness when a pillar of light came through and gave them a point of reference. This only happened after Lucy 'prayed' for help from Aslan. I think this really relates to our day, when it can seem we are walking in darkness and it is our faith and the gospel that help us find our way back into the light.

Lastly, one of the lines I really liked was when Aslan remarks, "I keep my own rules." If everyone on the island was invisible, so was Aslan until a spell was given to turn them all visible. Similarly, I believe God also follows his own rules.

What symbolism and lessons do you see in the book?
Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Chronicles: Prince Caspian

We finished reading Prince Caspian today!!! This means we are over halfway done with the Chronicles of Narnia series. A couple important differences about the movie and the book: (1) there is no romantic love between Caspian and Susan, (2) in the movie, there is a scene where they sneak into the castle to get the doctor out- this never happens in the book, (3) Caspian's aunt is not a character in the book, other than the fact it mentions she has a child.

As were were finishing up the book, I was struck with the scene where Caspian is knighted and made king by Peter. You'll notice that Aslan doesn't do this, even though it is present. Then, Caspian knights those around him who will be his counselors. Peter doesn't knight them, even though he is present. It reminded me of the conferral of the priesthood through Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith, and then Joseph Smith's conferral of the priesthood to the other members of the Church. There is order in all things.

This is almost a story of a "second coming" where people have lost faith in the old traditions and in Aslan. There are different reactions when he comes back, from terrified or ignorant, to excited and loving. It's been a great read, and I'm excited to start a new book next week.

Rhetorically,
Rebekah

Chronicles: The Horse and His Boy

We did it! We finished the third book in the Chronicles of Narnia!!

"The Horse and His Boy" is one of my favorites in the series. This book is like the story of Moses, in a way, although you wouldn't know it as you read. *Spoiler Alert* I love the overarching theme of God's hand in our life, as Aslan works to nudge the Horse and His Boy in the right direction so that they can be at the right place at the right time. I especially love the culture that CS Lewis creates in exploring the countries surrounding Narnia, and also learning more about what the Pevensie children did when the grew up and ruled Narnia.

Rhetorically,

Rebekah

Chronicles: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Okay, so we will be finishing the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," NEXT WEEK!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the book again, especially since I saw the new movie fairly recently. I was very impressed with how closely they were able to follow basically every event in the book. They also were able to use a lot of the dialogue! Matt also said that the cartoon version (I think from the 80's?) follows the book closely as well.

There's something about reading a book aloud, though, that makes the experience better.

Rhetorically,

Rebekah

Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

My fiancee and I have started reading the Chronicles of Narnia series together! It was one of my favorites growing up, and I often feel that most of the books are overlooked because everyone focuses on "the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." 

But for anyone with a sense of adventure and a desire to learn more about the background of Narnia, I would highly recommend "the Magician's Nephew."

Just as "the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" contains Christian symbolism (specifically, the atonement of Christ), "the Magician's Nephew" contains symbolism about the Creation. All of the books in the series have children as main characters, which I love because of their perspective, and I think C.S. Lewis nails the dialogue and personalities. It's been great to read aloud.

But you don't have to take my word for it!

Rhetorically,
Rebekah