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Response
The third installment of the “Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, reintroduces readers to the two younger Pevensie siblings, Lucy and Edmund. They are unexpectedly transported back to Narnia through a painting depicting a ship on a bedroom wall. While gazing at the painting, the ship suddenly comes to life, the sea splashes the children with salty foam, and they are drawn into the painting and back into Narnia. Onboard the ship are King Caspian, previously featured in the second book, Prince Caspian, and his companions. They are embarking on a mission to uncover the fate of the seven lords of Narnia who set sail westward and never returned. This quest and the subsequent escapades shape the narrative of the book.
Accompanying Lucy and Edmund on their return to Narnia is their cousin, Eustace Clarence Scrubb. If ever there was a child who embodied such a name, it is Eustace – an unbearable troublemaker who is argumentative, conceited, covetous, and envious. Eustace serves as a prime example for Lewis’ insightful exploration of sin and redemption. After landing on one of the Lone Islands, Eustace strays away to avoid assisting in repairing the ship. He seeks shelter in a dragon’s lair during a storm, where he discovers a vast hoard of gold and jewels and settles down to rest on a mound of coins. Upon waking up, he realizes that his own greed and selfishness have transformed him into a dragon, his external appearance mirroring his inner nature. In an attempt to rid himself of his dragon form and characteristics, he bathes in a pool, but his efforts are in vain – a poignant illustration of mankind’s futile endeavors to cleanse themselves of sin through their own actions (Romans 3:20;Galatians 2:16;Philippians 3:8,9). When he finally encounters Aslan, the majestic lion of Narnia symbolizing Christ in the series, it is Aslan himself who must remove the rough, scaly dragon skin with his claws.
Aws. “The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart,” Eustace explains. Aslan then dresses him in new clothes, the entire process being symbolic of the Christian becoming a new creation in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17;Colossians 3:8-10). From that point forward, Eustace begins to be a better boy. He still has lapses, but his transformation has commenced. Here is a depiction of the Christian life.
Aslan reappears in times of need throughout the book, reminiscent of the presence of the Holy Spirit who guides and directs the believer «Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. », (John 16:13). At one point, Caspian and Edmund nearly come to blows when they are temporarily blinded by greed and lust upon discovering a pool that turns everything to gold. It is only the appearance of Aslan pacing slowly on a nearby hill that brings them to their senses and convinces them that this is a place with a curse upon it. They name the island Deathwater and determine never to return.
Later, when Lucy opens the Magician’s book on the island of the Dufflepuds, she finds a spell that will give her beauty “beyond the lot of mortals.” She sees a vision of her beautiful self lording it over her less attractive sister and is overcome with the desire for the preeminence such beauty would bring her, even though her conscience is pricked. “I will say the spell. I don’t care. I will.” But as she looks back at the book, she sees the face of “the great Lion, Aslan himself…He was growling and you could see most of his teeth. She became horribly afraid and turned over the page at once.” Clearly, Lewis is portraying Aslan as the Holy Spirit who
Indwells, sanctifies, and instructs believers (Romans 8:9-11); convicts us of sin and reminds us not to let sin reign in our lives (Romans 6:1-22; Colossians 3:5).
Aslan, the embodiment of the Spirit of God, appears to Lucy again later, not to convict of sin, but to encourage and sustain her faith. The ship is engulfed in a terrifying darkness from which there seems to be no escape. In her despair, Lucy whispers, “Aslan, if you ever loved us at all, send help now.” Suddenly, in the distance a light appears in the shape of a cross. Then it takes the shape of a bird that circles the mast and leads the ship out of the darkness. Lucy hears the “small, still voice” «and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. », (1 Kings 19:12) of Aslan whispering to her, “Courage, dear heart,” and she feels his warm breath on her face. Here is a picture of Christ (the bird) who leads His people (the ship) from the darkness of the evil one into the light of His gospel (John 8:12; John 12:46; Acts 26:18).
The Lion appears for the final time in the last chapter of the book, where he emerges as a Lamb who feeds them the most delicious meal they have ever had, a foreshadowing of the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:19. Here we see the depiction of Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah «And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. », (Revelation 5:5) as well as the Lamb of God
These represent only some of the Christian motifs found in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, offering abundant chances for parents to impart biblical principles to their children within a captivating backdrop of fantasy and exploration.
