Chapter 13: Treason
Sopespian and Glozelle's plot against Miraz is interesting. They are very clever in the way they use reverse psychology to convince Miraz to accept the challenge. It's curious that they hadn't plotted an overthrow before but perhaps it was only now they were growing weary of him. I think Miraz is a bit stupid (especially for a man who must have been really clever to pull off a successful usurpation) to make Sopespian and Glozelle his marshals (after they'd insulted him the way they did). Perhaps he was so arrogant and self-important that it hadn't occurred to him that they might be plotting against him rather than acting like cowards.
Chapter 14: Aslan Turns Up
"I wish Aslan had turned up before it came to this," said Trumpkin
I embarked on a little thought experiment about what it would have been like if Aslan had appeared before the duel. For one thing, the duel would have been unnecessary. The Telmarines quite possibly would have surrendered then and there and the war been over. At the most, a few more fool-hardy Telmarines might have tried to fight Aslan. They would have failed. Miraz would have been forced to surrender (if Glozelle and Sopespian hadn't found a chance to kill him anyway) and the Telmarines would have been given the same choice they were in the end. (Miraz, had he survived, would probably have been compelled to leave Narnia). So why did Aslan not come sooner? Well, I tried to think about what benefits there were of leaving Caspian and co. to their own devices for a while. If Aslan had come before the duel, Caspian would be made King, but only because Aslan approved of him as the rightful heir. Instead, Caspian was able to show something of his own abilities to lead a battle (even if it was under the ultimate leadership of Peter). The fact that Caspian had "called" Peter and the others by use of the horn (Aslan could have brought them anyway) also added to making it Caspian's decision and a sign of his leadership abilities. I feel that because Aslan waited, Caspian's claim to the throne ended up being more secure. Nikabrik said of Peter and the others, when he was questioning Aslan's resurrection, "A king who has just won a great battle can usually establish himself without the help of a performing lion." This is condescending but there is some wisdom in the comment. It's not that Caspian didn't need Aslan's help (any more than the Pevensies would have succeeded on their own), but by letting them take the lead in part, their followers were more likely to trust and respect their claim to the throne as they had proven themselves capable. The other reason Aslan wasn't there at the duel is that "there was other work for him to do". He was preparing the way for the Telmarine's ultimate defeat by freeing the oppressed Narnians (old and new) and destroying the bridge of Beruna. The Telmarines had hoped it would be their last stand but with the bridge destroyed, they were forced to surrender. He also sent the dryads and company to help in the battle. Sometimes we might think that God isn't helping us in the best way possible, but it might be that he's preparing something else which in the end will be of more benefit to all involved. (These thoughts are related to some thoughts I've had regarding "Aslan's" intervention in my SusanFic. Hopefully one day I'll get around to writing a conversation between Aslan and Susan that I have in my head relating to that).
[edit]
Chapter 15: Give honour where it is due
"Welcome, Prince." said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?"
"I - I don't think so, Sir," said Caspian, "I'm only a kid."
"Good," said Aslan. "If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been proof that you were not."
"Sir," said the Mouse, "I can eat and sleep and die for my king without one. But a tail is the honour and glory of a Mouse."
"I have sometimes wondered, friend," said Aslan, "whether you do not think too much about your honour."
"We are all waiting to cut off our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not bear the shame of wearing an honour which is denied to the High Mouse."
"I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage," [said Caspian].
"You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve," said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content."
The last quote is probably one of my favourites in all of the Chronicles. I think it's so powerful because although Aslan is speaking to Caspian, the truth applies to every one of us. We are honoured as humans to be the pinnacle of God's creation, the only beings created in God's image, and to have a relationship with him. But we are also a race that is inherently fallen, and by that dishonoured.
Like Reepicheep, one of our various sinful tendencies is to care too much about our own honour and glory. We seek the praise of others and feel deserving of respect (perhaps because we feel worthy, or maybe, like Reepicheep, because we feel we are owed something for the apparent injustices we think have been done to us - like being given an unfairly small stature). But we must remember who we are and where we came from. And we must remember that what honour may be granted to us is by no doing of our own. It is only because of God's grace shown towards us as a result of his love for us shown through the sacrifice of the Son on our behalf. Like Caspian, we need to remember that we are not worthy, but that worth is granted to us when we acknowledge this fact. We are granted worth and honour only through and from God himself.
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Wed Aug 10, 2016 8:50 pm
]]>
]]>
"Hi! Lucy! Look out, for goodness' sake. You're right on the edge of the gorge. Come back - " and then, a moment later, Edmunds voice saying "No, she's right. There is a way down."
The passage where Aslan leads the Children along the side of the gorge and finally to Aslan's How is beautiful. It's a lovely symbol of how God will lead us by the best path, even though to us it might seem treacherous. He knows the paths so much better than we do and it was only when the children trusted Aslan that they could find a way through.
This is summed up in Peter's confession: "I've been leading them wrong ever since we started and especially yesterday morning." I love that Aslan doesn't chastise him. He accepts Peter's confession with the loving words "My dear son."
I don't know how many of you have read Lewis' A Pilgrim's Regress. It's a rather difficult book because unlike The Chronicles it really is an allegory and the symbolism is difficult. (Lewis confesses in the preface to the version I have that he hadn't realised not everyone had the same journey to Christianity as him and he assumed that people would understand his symbolism more easily). Anyway, in the story, the protagonist, John, comes to a huge canyon which he cannot cross and much of the book is about him trying different ways to get across it and failing till he eventually realises that he cannot do it on his own. The first time I read it, I remember thinking how it was a bit like this part of Prince Caspian. Pilgrim's Regress was published in 1933, long before PC, but I think perhaps Lewis was trying to reuse the same allegory in a simpler form here.
Chapter 11.2: Bacchus
I've shared some of this before (we had a thread on the old forum about it) but some of you won't have seen that discussion so I thought I'd share it again. I always found the passage with Bacchus really odd. When I was doing my undergrad in classics, we did a section on Dionysus (the more common Greek name for the same god - we even studied a Greek play called The Bacchae) and I was even more confused. Bacchus was the god of wine and revelry and, from a Christian perspective, represents some of the greatest debauchery of Greek paganism. I remember learning about Silenus and the Maenads too, which was cool because now I knew who they were. But I did find their whole inclusion really odd. (As an aside, I also remember when I was doing first year Greek and, in our text book, the characters all go to a festival of Dionysus and there's this bit in the passage where the revellers shout: "eleleu, iou, iou!" which was glossed as "untranslatable ritual chants" and I remember thinking "Ooh! that's where Lewis got that from!" He has a slightly different version, but it's similar enough, that I'm sure they're both associated with the festival chants). What really confused me was what on earth these characters were doing in a Christian book? Then, one day I was reading LWW and saw something I had never noticed before, which suddenly made a bit more sense of the whole thing.
When Lucy realises here who the strange wild people are, she says to Susan, "Don't you remember Mr Tumnus telling us about them long ago?" Obviously, these conversations must have happened after the coronation for Susan to have heard them, but that wasn't the first time Tumnus told Lucy about them. On Lucy's first visit to Narnia, Mr Tumnus tells her about the good old days, before the White Witch, when they would have midnight dances and hunting parties and feasts and treasure hunts. He also tells her "about summer when the woods were green and old Silenus on his fat donkey would come to visit them, and sometimes Bacchus himself, and then the streams would run with wine instead of water and the whole forest would give itself up to jollification for weeks on end." He ends his tale with the sad line, "Not that it isn't always winter now."
When I discovered this passage, I suddenly felt like I understood a bit better what was going on in PC. The mention of Bacchus and Silenus in LWW might have just been a throw-away sentence. Fauns are closely associated with Bacchus in Greek mythology, so it makes sense that Mr Tumnus would mention their presence as representing the good old days of Narnia (days that no longer came now that the Witch made it eternal winter). Bacchus and Silenus belonged to a time before the Golden Age and before the White Witch's reign. In a way it symbolised the wild part of Narnia (the animals and mythical creatures) in their element. Lewis, for some reason, decides to harken back to this mention by Tumnus in the next book (remembering PC was published next after LWW). In the same way that the appearance of Father Christmas marked the Witch losing her power in LWW, so Bacchus' return here was a sign to the Old Narnians that things were being made right again. You might ask why Bacchus only returns now, and not during the Golden Age, and I don't really know the answer, but it seems rather fitting to have him appear here where the focus is on liberating the Old Narnians from repressive Telmarine rule.
One of the things Lewis seems to do with the Greek (and other) mythologies in Narnia, is "redeem" them. He was of the opinion that mythologies were based on partial truths that had been distorted. The Christian story was the "true myth". So he takes these pagan characters and creatures and puts them into a Christian setting. Bacchus and the maenads are no longer the decadent characters of Greek myth but something positive. They had been associated with drinking and drunkenness, but here they are associated with fruitfulness and plenty, making vines grow and allowing nature to reclaim what was taken from it. Instead of being associated with violence, they are simply wild (untamed). They are rather startling to Lucy and Susan who come from a world of order and a controlled society, but they are not bad. Also Aslan, is there to keep them safe (which is interesting, since he himself is "not a tame lion" - but in his untameness he is good and the girls know that).
I'd love to know what versions of the myths of Dionysus Lewis was familiar with. Were there stories he read as a child which already partially redeemed or put Bacchus, Silenus and the Maenads into a "safer" setting? How did he encounter them in school (school syllabuses in those days had far more inclusion of Classical literature and languages than they do now)? Or did he simply know about them from the days of his Classics degree? Whether it was from his own background or his own decision, it seems that Lewis' point here is to put mythical and pagan characters into a safer setting, at the same time elaborating on Mr Tumnus' passing comment about them in LWW.
Chapter 12: Nikabrik's Lies
I've noticed before that there are a few passages in The Chronicles where one of the bad characters tries to fool the heroes by cleverly formulated lies. They mix in enough truth to make it seem believable but then twist that truth. Lewis seems to have been strongly aware of how this kind of deception works and portraying examples of it. We see this best in Screwtape Letters where the demons describe how to trick humans. We also see it in the LotGK's speech about there being no such thing as overland or the sun in SC, in the way Shift tricks Puzzle into wearing the Lionskin (and in Shift's speeches on Stable Hill) in TLB and in the lies about Aslan as an evil lion that had developed in Calormen in HHB. Here, Nikabrik twists the truth by trying to make the others doubt what they knew about both the White Witch and Aslan.
That we should no longer be children, tossed about to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Eph 4:14)
But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them. (2 Tim 3:13-14)
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Tue Aug 09, 2016 2:44 pm
]]>
Glozelle and Sopespian have some serious pride-appealing skills, not that it's a thing to be proud of. First, they are among those who set up Miraz as king; now, they work their opposite effect to end his reign.
I'm also noticing now that Miraz is nothing the only one with pride in this chapter. Reep has his share of it too, though it be treated much more positively.
Chapter 14:
Normally, I'd be talking about the duel, as it's my second-favourite part of PC. But I'm going to talk about the other half of the chapter instead.
The sheer rush of joy is simply contagious. The whole time, they're laughing and dancing and yodelling and all-around having a jolly good time. Of course, most of the Telmarines are frightened out of their wits and run away, but ever so often, a few would join in. The decision to follow Christ is not lightly made, but there is such a joy in doing so that the ones He calls jump right on in. May we all be reflections of this Joy as we go about life!
And now that I'm reminded that, yes, Lewis did mention that the nurse is at least part-Dwarf, I'm now suddenly wondering how our part-Dwarfs in this book have so much more faith in Aslan that the pure Dwarfs. One would think that, with the true Dwarfs in the bloodline hiding in plain sight and the influence of the Telmarine part of the line, there would be even more reason for these half-bloods to be ignorant or just as wrong in their beliefs as Trumpkin and Nikabrik (not to say that there can't be part-Dwarfs that aren't that way; this is, after all, just based on the two we know of). But then again, there's the power of the Truth living on in the midst of adversity.
Chapter 15:
I just realized that not all of the Telmarines who didn't want to stick around a Narnia where they didn't rule the roost showed up for Aslan's provision of a new home. Perhaps they went to re-populate Telmar?
And I don't really want to say anything else except that I really, really, really recommend this fic by meldahlie if you've never read it. It's a glimpse of Telmarine life in the Pacific a few years after the end of PC. (Note that the author has described Prunaprismia in her own way and in other fics and that the lady original character is also from other fics, but I'm sure you'll understand without the backdrop of the other fics.) https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12024322/1/Milk-and-Honey (FanFiction.net is not affiliated with TLC; please click at your own risk.)
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Tue Aug 09, 2016 5:51 am
]]>
Final day:
Statistics: Posted by hobbit_of_narnia — Tue Aug 09, 2016 2:22 am
]]>
To chase down one run away boy?
Up from the coast
They are coming. Your “ghosts”
Bringing all that you've sought to destroy.
Glasswater’s daughters
Are stirring from sleep.
Will Lantern waste wake
From a darkness this deep?
Statistics: Posted by Swanwhite — Tue Aug 09, 2016 1:44 am
]]>
Tenny:
- I also wondered about "eggs in moonshine" so I looked it up and....well there's a recipe (http://www.foodsofengland.co.uk/eggsinmoonshine.htm). The term "moonshine" itself I think of as referring to homemade (kinda illegal) alcoholic drink but apparently with eggs it's a spiced sauce. It seems that "eggs in moonshine" is an actual saying referring to fanciful talk, and this is the apparent origin (though sometimes origins of sayings are based on legend not fact): http://wordhistories.com/2015/01/04/moonshine/ (follow links at your own risk; the sites are not affiliated with TLC).
- About the timing of when the horn was blown: I thought that was odd too but also kinda cool. It weirdly makes sense in my head that they would arrive at that particular time even though the date and years didn't match
(like the "magic" was more likely to work then or something).Ariel:
- The bit about men going wild reminds me a lot of That Hideous Strength.
- I also thought of God calling Samuel when Aslan called Lucy.
- I also wondered about Aslan stooping to drink water. I like the image but feel like it ought to have some significance I haven't understood. It reminds me a bit of the scene with Aslan and Jill at the River in SC
- The bit where Susan corrects her grammar actually seemed really odd to me. (*puts on nerdy linguist hat*): "It was him" sounds perfectly grammatical and "It was he" a bit odd to me. I know English is tricky when it comes to the case that pronouns should have because we don't have case marked anywhere else. I tried with other pronouns ("It was I" vs "It was me") and I still think that the accusative (him) sounds better than nominative (he). Logically (and according to Latin grammar, which early English grammarians often tried to follow) it should be "he", and perhaps in the history of English it might have been correct But I think we've seen a shift to where "him/me" is a more natural complement to "was" these days. The fact Lewis had Susan say "it was he" first kinda indicates that that's what naturally occurred to him and then some school grammar teacher who had tried to drill the (questionable rule) into his head suggested he should correct it. It does seem like a rather Susanly thing to do though (correcting her grammar), and perhaps she did it because she was nervous and that made her pedantic side come out.
- I also wondered about Aslan tossing Trumpkin (there's been some serious tinfoil going on in this Challenge). I guess it created the effect of giving him a fright (teaching him to fear Aslan) but at the same time showing that he would not hurt him and he was safe with him. It's almost certainly an experience Trumpkin wouldn't easily forget. It also reminded me of the scene with Jill.
"Do you eat girls?" she said
"I have swallowed up girls, boys, women and men, kings, emperors, cities and realms," said the lion.
I never quite got that passage either, but it made me think that Trumpkin had it easy
- What struck me about Nikabrik's mention of the Beavers that he says: "She stamped out the Beavers, I dare say; at least there's none of them in Narnia now." This is really odd because the Beavers were still alive at the end of LWW after Jadis was dead. Obviously it was a false story/rumour/explanation that had spread. Perhaps because the Beavers had had to flee their home and were pursued by Jadis, a mixed up version of the story had developed in which she actually caught them. Their non-existence now would have fueled that story. It just goes to show how little bits of truth can be twisted into false tales (not even intentionally) and I guess is a lesson in being wary of legends passed down over many generations.
- That's a very interesting observation about Ed's torch. Ed, Peter and Trumpkin had a flaming torch when they entered the tunnels but must have left it in the tunnel when they rushed in (maybe to free up their hands, although it would have scared the enemy more if they'd rushed in with it). At first I thought maybe Ed had his torch but wanted to save the battery. Bet then he might then have used it to start with so they could see a bit, before lighting the candle. The fact they needed a flaming torch suggests he didn't have it with him. Another possibility is that by this time the batteries were flat. I'd never thought of this before but I suppose the reason he left it behind (assuming it wasn't left all the way back in Cair Paravel) is because Susan and Peter got their school clothes and other things for going back to our world (Edmund didn't know that was the plan) and so the others might not have thought it include it with their things.
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Mon Aug 08, 2016 8:31 pm
]]>
It can be the darkest hour before dawn. We can be surrounded by doubters (or grumpy supporters). We can be struggling through thickets. But all of it, even the things we'd like to spit out in frustration and anger, fade when we set our eyes on Christ and follow His path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmZ2v0niCI (YouTube is not affiliated with TLC; click at your own risk)
Anyone else wonder why Aslan stops to take a drink of water? I mean, I know he's a Beast and all, but it seems like a bit of a random thing to do in this sequence of events. The best thing I can think of is perhaps a bit of proof that he's real, not "eggs in moonshine", kinda like the way Jesus ate after His resurrection to prove He wasn't a ghost? (I suggest this because it's just after Aslan drinks that Ed sees him and Peter almost-sees him.)
Also... Susan thinks to correct her grammar when she's talking about the extent of her failings? On the one hand, I'm kinda going, "Girl, that's the least of your worries," and on the other, I'm chuckling.
Peter's humility and willingness to 'fess up to "guiding the others wrong" is admirable. I forgot that this was one of the reasons I like Peter as much as I do.
Never understood why Aslan plays with Trumpkin the way he does. "Not a tame lion" seems to be a good enough answer on the surface, but now I'm also wondering if this is a little taste of the joy and frolicking and romping and stuff that happens later?
Chapter 12:
(I just have to say that I love this chapter. I'm not even sure why.)
Nikabrik (and those who slipped away) didn't even wait 24 hours to see if the Horn would bring help. It's only just clicking now. On the one hand, "Wow, dude, chill. Things are tough, but it's not even been a full day! If help showed up at the Lamppost, it wouldn't arrive in a single day without some additional miracle, like the use of winged horses or something!" On the other, "Yikes, how many times have I done it myself...?"
Nikabrik says there are no more Beavers in Narnia. I wonder how they came to disappear, if they did....
Ed lights a match in the chamber. I wonder if he accidentally left his torch at Cair Paravel or on the way to the How! I always assumed it was after the Second Battle of Beruna that he'd lost it, but why would he strike a match if he had his torch?
And I didn't leave enough time to actually catch up. *headdesk*
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Mon Aug 08, 2016 6:33 am
]]>
"Down," said Peter after a long time. "I know Lucy may be right, but I can't help it. We must do one or the other." So they set off to their right along the edge, downstream
Lucy hung back, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked from where Aslan stood to the receding backs of Trumpkin and her siblings. Reluctantly, she tore herself away to follow them. But He wanted me to follow Him! She froze midstep. "Stop," she commanded, the lioness roaring up inside of her.
The group turned to face her, waiting for her to speak. As she glanced among them, her courage began to fail her. Peter was tired; Susan was frustrated. Trumpkin was purely annoyed. But when she saw Ed looking at her quizzically and nodding encouragingly at her to speak, she pressed on.
"Oh, Peter, Susan, all of you. I hope you'll understand. But Aslan is King of High Kings... and - and - and I know he wants us to follow. You needn't go if you don't want to, but..." She inhaled deeply. "I'm going. Whether or not you are. You can come. Or not." Surprised by the boldness that was not her own, she turned and walked away, determined that nothing could be said to stop her. Aslan had called.
"Don't be a goose, Lucy. You come back here," Susan ordered.
"Bristling broomsticks, Your Majesties! Are you going to stop her?"
She didn't even glance back. She heard someone coming from behind her, and quickened her steps. When the follower did not reach to stop her, she glanced back. It was Edmund. He caught up in a couple more steps, and matched her determined strides. "Lead the way."
"Peter," Susan pouted from behind, as he too came after Lucy.
"We aren't leaving her."
But nothing from Trumpkin. Only heavy breaths as he attempted to keep up with his determined queen.
Later that Night, after Seeing Aslan
Lucy was sitting with her back to a tree, looking out into the woods. Peter sat beside her. "Waiting for the trees to talk again?"
"It will happen," she said.
"I don't doubt it," he said. "Aslan is on the move."
She smiled at him. "I miss the Beavers," she whispered.
Peter nodded, and there was a moment of silence. "You know, you left your satchel behind with me today." He pulled the strap from his shoulder and passed it to Lucy. "Didn't think you'd need it?"
"Mmm," she smiled and accepted the satchel, looking off into the trees.
Peter was very quiet for a moment. "You knew I would come, didn't you?"
"No," she murmured, and their eyes met. "But whether or not you were going to didn't matter. Whether or not I had my satchel didn't matter. Aslan wanted me to follow him."
"I'm ashamed, Lu. I should've come with you. I shouldn't have waited for you to leave before I followed."
She reached out and squeezed her brother's hands. "In the end you came, though. Let's not think about it anymore, alright?"
Peter nodded. "I'll try."
A moment passed, and Lucy giggled a little.
"What?" Peter asked.
"Trumpkin being tossed by Aslan. I'll never forget that."
Peter chuckled. "Nor will I."
Statistics: Posted by Tenethia — Mon Aug 08, 2016 5:25 am
]]>
Great insights Ajjie!
Love your artwork, Hobbit!
And all of you inputting, I enjoy that we're doing this together.
Dancing Lawn
Dancing on
In Dancing lawn
Dream-like on till dawn
Aslan's How
We searched and found
The sacred ground
In an ancient mound
of soundless stone
Now we've lit our lamps
In the dark and damp
And set up camp
To claim the throne
Statistics: Posted by Swanwhite — Mon Aug 08, 2016 1:25 am
]]>
Chapter 9:
Lucy's plea to the Trees reminds me of Aslan's "waking" the Talking Beasts at the dawn of time.
Lucy: "Oh, Trees, Trees, Trees. Oh, Trees, wake, wake, wake. Don't you remember it? Don't you remember me? Dryads and Hamadryads, come out, come out to me."
Aslan: "Narnia, Narnia, Narnia, awake. Love. Think. Speak. Be walking trees. Be talking beasts. Be divine waters."
Obviously, Lucy has the disadvantage of not having divine authority. But along the lines of what Ajjie was saying about Lucy telling the others about Aslan's instructions, sometimes we try to reach those who have "retreated deep within themselves" but can't seem to stir them. Doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't try. Just means that, once we have tried, it's up to God to awaken the sleepers, even if it is long after our own attempts, because His timing is perfect.
And I just have to say that Lu's horrible thought of wild men in our world is totally right.
But onto happier things.
Chapter 10:
Lucy's acknowledgement that the voice of Aslan sounded like the one she liked best in the world reminds me of the way the very name of Aslan was described in SC (albeit from the enemy's side of the story) as being "most dear and most dreadful". I'm not sure why, but there it is.
Aslan's calling her out of her sleep also reminds me of the Lord calling Samuel three times till Samuel finally answered, "Here am I."
I'm also noticing that their walk during the day and Lucy's nighttime visit with Aslan bear a physical similarity: the way cluttered and clogged by trees (though that was more organized and whatnot for Lucy's visit) and opening into a clearer area. The daytime's "clearer area" ended badly (with the outpost), but the nighttime ended with Aslan. And that just made me think of how, whatever our path in life and despite the obstacles and regardless of the nature of the path, God will draw us to Him so long as we are willing to go to Him.
This is already been touched on by others, but "the more further up and further in you go, the bigger everything gets."
I'm behind, I know, but it's late and I'm ready to conk out.
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:24 am
]]>
Day 6:
Statistics: Posted by hobbit_of_narnia — Sun Aug 07, 2016 4:37 am
]]>
"Go Away. It's not time to get up yet~!" The three Bulgies would have missed seeing their king if they hadn't roused themselves. Even when they did finally come out, they were at a disadvantage because they were still half asleep. I wonder how much we as humans miss by not being spiritually alert. When we let our relationship with Christ go lax and we're lazy about things like praying and reading the Bible, we can see so much /less/ of God. We miss His promptings, and sometimes we miss His calling us to work for Him. When the Bulgies finally understood what was going on, they were faithful to get involved. Unfortunately, much time was wasted. Stay alert. You never know when your king might come to call.
Chapter 7!
Dear Trumpkin, celery does go really well with soup!
Love
Tenny
Also, if anyone can give me an idea about eggs and moonshine means actually that'd be great
And no matter how much I dislike Trumpkin's attitude I have always admired him for this: "But what's that got to do with it? I might as well die on a wild goose chase as die here. You are my king. I know the difference between giving advice and taking orders. You've had my advice, and now it's the time for orders." *applause*
Chapter 8!
Peter just finished telling everything why time was so different in Narnia from England, and now Ed is talking about how the horn was blown at the time when they were at the train together. So how were they thousands of years apart but that /one/ moment coincided? o.O
Statistics: Posted by Tenethia — Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:34 am
]]>
Day 5
Chapter 10: The Return of the Lion
Lucy's conversation with Aslan is so beautiful with so many powerful messages. These are my favourites:
1) "Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That's because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
How wrong Trumpkin was about Aslan being "a pretty elderly lion by now." As Peter said, "The D.L.F doesn't understand, how could he?" And he didn't. Aslan doesn't age because he is outside of time. Logically, one would have expected the opposite of what Lucy saw - that Aslan would look smaller as she got older. That's what usually happens (I often notice how things I used to consider so big as a child now seem so much smaller). But Aslan doesn't fit the standard rules. As the physical incarnation of God, his apparent size to Lucy is dependant not on physical features but on spiritual. The more Lucy knows and understands who he is, the larger he appears. In the same way, the closer we are to God and the more we grow in our faith, the "bigger" he appears (in the sense that we have a better understanding of his greatness and power).
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ. (Eph 4:14-15)
2) "…I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone…it wouldn't have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?"
Aslan said nothing.
"You mean," said Lucy rather faintly, "that it would have turned out all right - somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?"
"To know what would have happened, child?" said Aslan, "No. Nobody is ever told that."
"Oh dear," said Lucy.
"But anyone can find out what will happen."
This is a strong message about trusting God's guidance even when those around us don't want to do so. And even when it seems that perhaps his guidance didn't look like the best path. We learn later that had they followed Aslan, they would have saved much time and made it to Caspian's sooner. Of course, we don't know quite what would have happened, especially if Lucy had been alone, but we can make some guesses based on what happens later. Nikabrik's bringing in of the hag and werewolf was because it appeared the children had not arrived. Had even Lucy alone arrived the day before, that whole episode would have been avoided and Nikabrik's life might have been spared. But we can't blame the children (or Lucy) for what happened; Nikabrik reaped the reward of his own evil heart. And the good news is that even though the children had messed up by not following Aslan at once, he is able to redeem the situation and still bring success (though through more suffering). Even after we have messed up we can still find out what "will happen" when we repent.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)
3) "Will the others see you too?" asked Lucy.
"Certainly not at first," said Aslan. "Later on, it depends."
"But they won't believe me!" said Lucy.
"It doesn't matter," said Aslan.
We are each called on to be responsible for our own faith and decisions. Just because those around us are "blind" to the truth doesn't mean that we shouldn't a) tell them the truth and risk not being believed and b) follow the Lord even when others refuse. Aslan seems to be saying to Lucy here: "It doesn't matter what the others think or say or do. I am asking you to follow me. How they respond is not your problem." This is both a challenge and an encouragement to us: A challenge to stand up for what we believe, but an encouragement to not feel guilty about how others respond. Lucy's obedience is rewarded. Her insistence results in the others agreeing to follow her despite not really believing her, and ultimately they are all brought around and come to see Aslan for themselves.
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…
While we do not look at the things which are seen but which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:3-5; 18)
4) "I thought you'd come roaring in and frighten all the enemies away - like last time. And now everything is going to be horrid."
"It is hard for you, little one," said Aslan. But things never happen the same way twice. It has been hard for us all in Narnia before now.
I said on the first day, it is interesting how in this story, Aslan leaves the children to fend for themselves far more than he did in the first book. Then they were young and clueless, but now they have matured and know things like how to take care of themselves in the wild. It's not that he doesn't provide for them along the way (and even protect them from enemy arrows despite going the wrong way), but it's like he's stepped back and is allowing them to figure out things for themselves. Why? Probably the same reason a parent gradually gives a child more and more freedom and independence so they can grow into a healthy adult. There is no reason Aslan could not have come bounding in to save the day. But there were many important lessons learned and they developed in their faith because he gave them more freedom to make mistakes and grow. The part where Aslan says "it has been hard for us all" I think is to point out that Lucy might think that what he asks of her is hard. But they have all had to undergo difficulties and, in fact, by comparison hers is very mild. Sure "it is a terrible thing to wake four people, all older than yourself, for the purpose of telling them something they probably wouldn't believe…" but others were fighting losing battles and putting their lives on the line. Some were even giving up their lives. The old Narnians had had to live in hiding for generations and even many of the Telmarines were ill-treated by their evil King. What he was asking Lucy to do would at the most hurt her pride. I think we're often like Lucy. Other people have to put their lives on the line for their faith ("it's hard for all of us"), but like her we complain and get scared when all we're asked to do is tell people the truth at the risk of being laughed at or disbelieved.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2 Cor 4:16-17)
5) Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up.
"I'm sorry, Aslan," she said. "I'm ready now."
"Now you are a lioness," said Aslan.
Despite her doubts and failings, Lucy knew where to turn to for strength. And he gave it to her willingly.
Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11: 28)
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9a)
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Sat Aug 06, 2016 8:26 pm
]]>
Narniac: How exciting to have a French copy. I've read some of the Narnian books in Afrikaans - it's kinda cool to see how they translate things. I think I read the PC one but I can't really remember it well. (Also someone was giving away a Danish copy of one of the books at the CSL society last year and I nearly took it. But I don't know any Danish, although my great parents came from Denmark
)Ariel: That is interesting about the table being implied to be older than the lamppost. I agree that the magic from before the dawn of time being linked with it could be an explanation but it's origin is curious. It's interesting that Lewis didn't mention it at all in MN although he used that to explain so many other origins like the lamppost, Jadis' presence in Narnia and the wood for the wardrobe.
I'm a bit behind on reflections though I'm just keeping up with the reading. (Then again I'm almost half a day ahead of you guys by time zone). This reflection is based mainly on Chapters 7-8, but takes some information from earlier and from chapter 9.
Day 4
Chapter 7-8 (and 5 and 9): Character Profile - Trumpkin
So I was thinking about Trumpkin's characterisation in the book and it struck me for the first time that to some degree it's actually his story. He's the first Narnian we meet and the one telling much of the early story. But more than that, he's the one that undergoes the greatest change. From a highly sceptical dwarf (sceptical about everything from the existence of magic and Aslan to the Children's abilities) he turns out to be one of the most likeable characters and ends up being Caspian's first choice for regent on two occasions.
Appearance: "Very stocky and deep-chested… about three feet high… an immense beard and whiskers of coarse red hair [which] left little of his face to be seen except a beak-like nose and twinkling black eyes."
Skills: Fishing, Sword-fighting, "A famous bowman among his own people"
Background: We aren't really told anything, but I'm rather curious how he came to be living with a black dwarf and a badger (rather than with the other red dwarfs). What did the three of them do when they weren't rescuing princes who had fallen off their horses?
Personality and characterisation:
(For this, I went through the various bits where he speaks or does something that reveals his character; each paragraph relates to a different bit of the story)
At first Trumpkin is introduced as a character who represents the middle-ground, in contrast to Trufflehunter and Nikabrik. When they are discussing what they should do with Caspian, Nikabrik wants to kill him, Trufflehunter wants to look after him but Trumpkin points out that if they wanted to kill him they should have done so and that by taking him in and bandaging him, he had become a guest. This sums up his practical and level-headed character. Trumpkin seems to have a soft spot for Caspian right from the start, "it isn't the creature's fault that it bashed its head against a tree outside our hole. And I don't think it looks like a traitor." Trumpkin is also very quick to put Nikabrik in his place "will you contain yourself, or must Trufflehunter and I sit on your head?"
Trumpkin's scepticism is shown from early on. He is shocked that Trufflehunter believes the old stories about High King Peter and the children from our world, and doesn't think many people "still believe in Aslan nowadays." Despite this, he does have a clear sense of good and evil and sides with Caspian and Trufflehunter in overruling the black dwarfs' desire to have a hag and ogre join their army. Like magic and the children and Aslan, Trumpkin is also hesitant to believe in the spirits of trees and woods which had fallen into a deep sleep during his lifetime, "What imaginations you animals have!", he says, "But why stop at Trees and Waters? Wouldn't it be nicer if the stones started throwing themselves at old Miraz?"
One of the things that reveals Trumpkin's good intentions despite his unwillingness to believe in the unseen is the way he responds to Doctor Cornelius. While Nikabrik sees him as a traitor (as Cornelius predicted a true dwarf would), Trumpkin stands up for him saying "the creature can't help his ancestry".
Trumpkin is extremely practical (in some ways he's a lot like Susan and perhaps shares some of her failings). He says, while plans are being made to hide out at Aslan's How "I wish our leaders would think less about old wives' tales and more about victuals and arms."
One of my favourite bits about Trumpkin is the speech he gives regarding how he feels about using Aslan's horn. He is clear that he does not believe it can be of any help: "Your Majesty knows I think the Horn - and these broken bits of stone over there - and your great King Peter - and your Lion Aslan - are all eggs in moonshine," but then he astounds them all by offering to be one of the messengers sent to look for the help if it should come. "But I thought you didn't believe in the Horn, Trumpkin," said Caspian. "No more I do, your majesty. But what's that got to do with it? … You are my King. I know the difference between giving advice and taking orders. You've had my advice, and now it's time for orders."
I was wondering a couple days ago how Trumpkin managed to get through his whole story without giving the children a chance to tell them who they were or figuring it out himself. But seeing just how much of a sceptic he was, it makes a bit more sense. He was so convinced that the children were not real and would not come, it hadn't occurred to him that these might be them. In a way, it reminds me a bit of when Jesus came to earth and many of the Jews who had been expecting a Messiah, didn't recognise him. He didn't meet their expectations so they couldn't see who he was and were blinded to the truth. That's where Trumpkin found himself when he was face to face with the famous kings and queens of old - despite having been sent to look for them. I think that serves as a lesson to us: we must be prepared to recognise when our expectations are wrong, or we might miss out on something important. (A similar message comes through later when Aslan suggests to Lucy that she ought to have followed him despite what the others thought and despite the fact that it looked like he was leading them the wrong way).
I agree with Ariel that Peter's plan to show Trumpkin that they were really the great Kings and Queens he was looking was a very clever plan, and also rather gracious. (As an aside, I hadn't remembered until now that the term "dear little friend(s)" was actually originally given by Trumpkin to the children and they applied it to him. I also thought, like Ariel, that it was odd that Trumpkin was so condescending of their youth despite Caspian being around the same age. Perhaps he had some sense of loyalty to the fact that because Caspian was the rightful king, his youthfulness was irrelevant.)
We see something of Trumpkin's sensitive side when he deals with the killing of the bear and encourages Susan who was concerned about it being a talking bear, and thus hesitating to kill it. His practical side is clear when he suggests their taking the bear meat for food. He's also the one to figure out that the landscape would have changed drastically since the children had been in Narnia.
Trumpkin's scepticism rises to the fore again when Lucy sights Aslan. While he's willing to accept that Lucy had seen a Lion, he suspects it might have been a wild lion and has no belief that if it was the talking one they knew as Aslan that he might have gone wild or aged. When it comes to the vote on whether to follow Lucy's lead or not, he takes what he thinks is the practical option.
I want to end with two comments (misconceptions) Trumpkin makes about Aslan which will be important later when he actually meets Aslan face to face:
When the black dwarfs want to bring in the hag and ogre, Trufflehunter says "We should not have Aslan for our friend if we brought in that rabble." Trumpkin replies, "Oh Aslan!" (he says cheerily but contemptuously) "What matters much more is that you wouldn't have me."
Then to Lucy he says: "Her Majesty may well have seen a lion…There are lions in these woods, I've been told. But it needn't have been friendly and talking lion any more than the bear was a friendly talking bear…He'd be a pretty elderly lion by now…if it's the one you knew when you were here before! And if it coul be the same one, what's to prevent him having gone wild and witless like so many others." Peter chastises him for this, but kindly "The D.L.F doesn't understand, how could he?...You mustn't talk like that again. It isn't lucky for one thing: and it's all nonsense for another…"
Statistics: Posted by Ajnos — Fri Aug 05, 2016 8:01 pm
]]>