What are the Christian themes in Prince Caspian?

Answer

In this, the second installment of the seven-volume “Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis—although it is the fourth book in the chronological order—Peter, Lucy, Edmund, and Susan are called once more to their cherished Narnia as young Prince Caspian endeavors to reclaim his rightful position on the throne. As the narrative unfolds, we discover that Caspian’s real identity has been shrouded in secrecy by a malevolent uncle, but Caspian’s mentor, Dr. Cornelius, breaks his vow of silence by disclosing Caspian’s true lineage and the enchanting tales of Narnia’s illustrious past. A conflict ensues when Prince Caspian confronts the wrongdoers who seized his crown.

Prince Caspian is a timeless tale of good versus evil set at a time when the authentic Narnians who have faith in and follow Aslan—symbolic of those who follow Christ—are forced into hiding, both physically and metaphorically. The small group of believers must seek refuge in Aslan’s How, “a massive mound that Narnians constructed in ancient times over a mystical site, where there once stood, and perhaps still stands, a profoundly magical Stone.” This Stone is revealed to be the Stone Table on which Aslan was sacrificed to save the treacherous Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the most overt allusion to Christ’s redemptive sacrifice on the cross. This portrays believers throughout history who endured scorn and persecution for their faith, often having to evade the malevolent forces that aimed to annihilate them. The depiction of Aslan’s How is reminiscent of the catacombs of Rome, where believers in the ancient era lived and perished during the Roman persecutions. Evidently, one of the central themes of Prince Caspian is the ongoing necessity for Christians to assess the consequences of following Christ, even if it leads to martyrdom.

Another theme is the profound contrast between believers and non-believers, as exemplified by the Old Narnians—those who remained loyal to Aslan.

n—and the Telmarines and some of the dwarves, especially Nikabrik. The Old Narnians are characterized as those who “believe in fairy tales.” King Miraz, who has usurped young Caspian’s throne, berates him: “That’s all nonsense, for babies…Only fit for babies, do you hear? You’re getting too old for that sort of stuff.” Even Trumpkin, the dwarf who is eventually convinced of the reality of Aslan, says early on, “But who believes in Aslan nowadays?” Trumpkin changes his mind, or rather has it changed for him, when he meets the great Aslan face to face. After that momentous meeting, Trumpkin becomes a true son of Narnia and will continue to be so through the next book, The Silver Chair. Lewis is drawing a parallel to the Christian life in that our faith will always be ridiculed and sneered at by those who will see it as foolishness. Paul reminds us that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” «For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. », (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Perhaps the most obvious theme is represented by Lucy’s journey through the story. Her struggle portrays the challenge of all Christians who must walk the path of faith and obedience, even in the face of opposition. Lucy has to go against her friends and family in order to follow Aslan (Jesus), who appears to her one night and beckons her to follow Him on the path to Aslan’s How, a path the others cannot, or will not, see. When they refuse to follow her, her heart is broken, but she abandons Aslan in order to stay with the group. When Aslan comes to her a second time, He is compassionate and loving towards her, but He makes it clear to her through her own conscience that she should have followed Him, no matter what the cost. She realizes her mistake and gains from Him the strength she needs: “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.’”

Lucy now had the courage to follow Aslan, even if she will be the only one who does. “‘I do hope,’ said Lucy in a tremulous voice, ‘that you will all come with me. Because—because I’ll have to go with him whether anyone else does or not.’” This is a poignant lesson for Christians of all ages, but especially for children. Lucy’s heroism as she determines to follow Aslan through all the dire circumstances in the first three books teaches children three invaluable lessons: counting the cost of following Christ (Luke 14:26-33); the dangers and trials inherent in the Christian life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10); and the faithfulness of our Savior, who will lead us home and from Whom nothing can separate us (2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 10:23; Romans 8:38-39).

Another theme in Prince Caspian is the universality of questioning God’s timing and purposes. Several times the main characters wonder why Aslan doesn’t come and intervene in their struggles, why they can’t see Him, and why He has been absent from Narnia for so long. But their faith, and ours, is built up by just such circumstances until we learn, as the psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” « As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. », (Psalm 18:30). If God’s ways are “perfect,” then we can trust that whatever He does and whatever timing He chooses is also perfect. In the end, it is the High

King Peter proclaims, “We do not know when He will act. In His time, no doubt, not ours. In the meantime, He would like us to do what we can on our own.” As Christians, what we “do” is to live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us «I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. », (Galatians 2:20).