The Narnia series is filled with religious symbols and themes. Written by C.S. Lewis, the books lead readers to foreign lands rich with Christianity. While the film versions have their differences from the novels, the religious connotations translate very well on screen. Aslan, the courageous and selfless lion, sacrifices himself for the life of Edmund, making Aslan a symbol of Jesus. Moreover, Aslan’s sinless nature results in his resurrection and return to power. Like Jesus, Aslan’s faith essentially allows him life after death. The belief in an after-life plays a profound role in Christian doctrines and dictates the actions of Christians in life. In both the films and books, faith is imperative to the admittance of the siblings into Narnia. Those who stop believing or lose faith, like Susan and Peter, can no longer enter Narnia. We have seen the idea of faith come up in many of the films we have watched, especially in the Decalogue. Edmund’s betrayal to both Aslan and his siblings leads us to believe his character is most like Judas from the Bible. The battle between good and evil drives the novels and films, climactic battles heightening the experience. The witch verse lion battle shows us our own internal struggles of pure and impure.
While the mysteriousness of religion is difficult to capture on screen, faith has continually been portrayed and examined. I wonder why. Also, how much of an impact do these films have on their targeted audiences: children?
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