The Biblical Accuracy of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia: A Dive into Allegory and Symbolism

C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia series is a beloved and imaginative collection of books that have captivated readers of all ages, from young children to adults. One of the primary questions often posed by readers is: How biblically accurate are the books and movies of The Chronicles of Narnia series? In this article, we will explore The Chronicles of Narnia through a lens of allegory and symbolism, delving into C.S. Lewis’s intentions and the nuances of his storytelling.

Understanding Allegory and Symbolism

The term allegory in the context of literature refers to a narrative in which characters, events, and settings are symbolic, representing abstract ideas or real-world events. While it is a common belief that the Chronicles of Narnia are deeply rooted in biblical accuracy and allegory, C.S. Lewis himself was quite clear about his approach to writing these stories.

C.S. Lewis’s Approach to Writing the Chronicles of Narnia

C.S. Lewis was well-known for his strong faith and his desire to share Christian themes through his writing. However, he was apprehensive about creating an allegory that would be too literal or specific. In a letter to a 13-year-old reader named Judith after she wrote to him about the apparent biblical symbolism, Lewis responded with a nuanced understanding of his storytelling. He wrote:

“All your points are in a sense right. But I’m not exactly 'representing' the real Christian story in symbols. I’m more saying ‘Suppose there were a world like Narnia and it needed rescuing and the Son of God or the "Great Emperor Oversea" went to redeem it as He came to redeem ours what might it in that world all have been like?’”

Excerpts from C.S. Lewis’s Letters

Lewis further elaborated on several points raised by Judith:

“Jadis plucking the apple is like Adam's sin, an act of disobedience. But it doesn’t fill the same place in her life as his plucking did in his. She was already fallen very much so before she ate it…”

The Passion and Resurrection of Aslan are like those in our world but not exactly like. They serve as an example for what Christ might have had in another world.

Edmund, much like Judas, is a sneak and traitor. However, unlike Judas, Edmund repents and is forgiven. If Judas had repented, it is likely he too would have been forgiven.

From C.S. Lewis, Literature of Younger Children (edited by Lyle W. Dorsett and Marjorie Lamp Mead) Touchstone New York, 1995, pp. 92–93.

The Role of Aslan

While many characters in the Chronicles of Narnia connect symbolically with biblical figures, only one character explicitly stands as a representation of Jesus Christ: Aslan. This portrayal is not a direct allegory but rather an imaginative portrait of what Christ "might have been like" in another world. The choice of Aslan as a lion, a creature sometimes used as a symbol of Christ in our world, reflects Lewis's vision of a world where Christ comes in a symbolic form to save it. The story of salvation in Narnia, while different from our world's story in the Bible, still points to the underlying truth that the Saviour is the same in both cases.

Aslan’s Farewell to Lucy and Edmund

Aslan says to Lucy and Edmund before they leave Narnia for the last time:

"This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia that by knowing me here for a little you may know me better there."

From The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, p. 255.

Conclusion

C.S. Lewis’s intention in writing the Chronicles of Narnia was not to produce a series of books that accurately replicate the exact narrative of the Bible or set out any narrow and rigid kind of theology. Instead, he aimed to create stories that children could enjoy and that would, if readers were alert, gently point them to the real and greater story of salvation and help them come to know it in their own lives. This approach ensures that the deeper meanings and spiritual themes of these stories resonate with readers in a way that is both meaningful and accessible.