1.23.2009

Just Like Men

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Chapter 10 - the Spell begins to break

Mrs Beaver shows her quality and sense in preparing the group before rushing out the door. No craven fear before an evil power stronger than her, she still knows the power of the unexpected. There is an echo of the Lord of the Rings there.

Lewis details the long walk, not overlooking the need for hard physical work in fighting evil.
Mr Beaver continues his politically incorrect ways, giving the children some kind of scotch in the hiding place to help them sleep.

Father Christmas returns to Narnia. Lewis seems to enjoy importing mythological characters from our world into reality in Narnia. He always makes them subordinate to Aslan, and shows their goodness in parallel with the enemy. Both the witch and Father Christmas have sleighs, reindeer, and bells.) He also gives them depth, where in our stories they can be shallow. Santa is fat and jolly for us, but here "He was so big, and so glad, and so real, that they all became quite still. They felt very glad, but also solemn." Solemn gladness is a theme throughout Lewis' thought. The Church today has LOST it, and badly needs it back.

He gives presents, which turns him into a sort of parallel with the Holy Spirit, who gives us gifts (1 Cor 12:7ff). The beavers get gifts related to their home; the children for battle, though only Peter for close combat, for "battles are ugly when women fight."

Father Christmas is also like the angel that gives Elijah rest and food in his flight from Jezebel (1 Kings 19). He gives a small feast. But the men examine Peter's sword. Lewis puts the wonder of Christmas right next to the down-to-earth sense of the beavers. "Don't stand talking there till the tea's got cold. Just like men." "Time to be moving on now."

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