No insights on stuff like curiosity and pride today.
Can I just say that I love how Lewis makes something of a big deal about Sarah’s day? It’s “exciting” and “wonderful”. Considering how he describes the house (particularly in the afternoon, but elsewhere too), I could well believe it. Mr Ketterley is dressed to the nines! A magnificent (if perhaps a bit unstable) woman in magnificent clothes is in the house! Miss Ketterley has just been tossed across the room! When it rains, it pours, right?
I’m not sure I’ve taken much note of it before, but almost as soon as Jadis shows up in our world, Uncle Andrew becomes something of a comic relief character. He preens in his room. His top hat is crumpled over his face. His jaw drops like a cartoon character who has to pick it up off the floor. Later, he’ll be planted and watered. Besides giving the reader something to chuckle at, Andrew’s status as an alarming figure with nefarious deeds to commit is dwarfed by the true terror Jadis instills.
Oh man. Aunt Letty is a force to be reckoned with! She’s totally unfazed by this strange woman in her house. Either she’s insanely brave or horrifically ignorant (I mean, technically, she is the latter, but still... I think she’s at least got a brand of bravery).
I think I’m also closer than before to loving Frank. He’s such a small character, but he’s got a big heart. He’s determined to do well by his horse, he risks his health in pursuit of calming it, he mentions that his cab is destroyed but he’s more interested in making sure the “Lidy” (who so obviously is the cause of the damage) gets home to rest, he’s polite even though Andrew and Jadis are probably not his favourite people, and even though he hasn’t a clue what just happened to him, he wants to lift everyone’s spirits in the midst of an apparently bleak situation. I mean, man! Is it any wonder Aslan installed him as king?
And aaaaaaahh! the creation of Narnia! This is my favourite part of MN. The darkness... the Voice... the sudden blaze of stars! (The stars in particular are my favourite creations.) I was reading this on my bus home and I know I was smiling the whole time. I don’t know if it’s just because Lewis paints the scene with words or because of the wonder of creation (both Narnia’s and ours) or what (probably a combination of everything). Every time I read this part, I think of Job 38:4-7 (specifically, “Where were you... when the morning stars sang for joy?”) I guess I just get this sense of awe at this fictional glimpse at creation.
(Btw, despite the fact that it has lyrics and a tune, I associate the song “Baba Yetu” to the creation of Narnia, especially the Peter Hollens cover.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=17svtURunUk (YouTube is not affiliated with TLC, click at your own risk.) I imagine the opening solo to be Aslan, the first and second choral additions to be the stars, and then the rest of the song carrying on to the sun, waters, plant life, and then the animals in the final rousing chorus. If I had the skills and ability to film or even animate the scene to the song, I totally would.)