The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

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Mum = Christian, grown up with Christian influence - C.S.Lewis' religion, probably how he wanted book to come across
All stories - key message throughout books
Aslan - great lion = Jesus
Children - converted to Christianity as books go on, entered Narnia as war begins in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, when meet Aslan - overwhelmed with presence that is greater and much bigger than own, and an existence much more important than their own

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Book - 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' , Reepicheep (mouse) decides its time for him to move on from Narnia to Aslan's Country - represents Heaven
Throughout books, one thing never wavers - Lewis' obvious faith in God and effort put in to try and keep that faith alive and in new and interesting format for children

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‘But between them and the foot of the sky there was something so white on the green grass that even with their eagle’s eyes they could hardly look at it. They came on and saw it was a Lamb.’
Significant - in Bible, refers to Jesus as 'The Lamb of God'
In book 'Lamb' has captital 'L' - name
Idea that Jesus referred to as 'the Lion and the Lamb' - symbolic later on too

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‘“Come and have breakfast” said the Lamb in its sweet, milky voice. Then they noticed for the first time that there was a fire lit on the grass and fish roasting on it.’
In Bible - one of the stories tells of Jesus making one fish feed thousands

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“Please, Lamb” said Lucy, “is this the way to Aslan's country?”
“Not for you,” said the Lamb. “For you the door into Aslan’s country is from your own world.”
“What!” said Edmund. “Is there a way into Aslan's country from our world too?”
“There is a way into my country from all the worlds,” said the Lamb, but as he spoke, his snowy white flushed into tawny gold and his size changed and he was Aslan himself, towering above them and scattering light from his mane.’
Symbolic - telling people that no matter where you are Jesus is always happy to have you
It doesn’t matter whether you are weak like a lamb or strong like a lion, He loves you equally
‘Scattering light from his mane.’ also refers to another name for Jesus – Light of the World

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‘“Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “Will you tell us how to get into your country from our world?”
“I shall be telling you all the time,” said Aslan. “But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder. And now come; I will open the door in the sky and send you to your own land.”
The ‘great Bridge Builder’ shows Jesus knows the way that is best for you whether tough or easy - will help shape your future

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This is the part that always gets me when I read it
Lewis is incredibly clever, weaving his words so everyone who reads this book takes in a little bit of God with it
In this last quote, children do not understand the concept that wherever they go, Aslan will still be with them, although in this case, back in our world he is known as God, or Jesus, children don’t get the idea that as long as they keep their faith alive, He will be in everything they see, like I said before, shaping their future, but also defining their past

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Another key feature in this book is characters attitudes towards Aslan;
Lucy = firm believer, one who’s faith never falters;
Edmund - the betrayer who has seen the light
and Eustace. The one who is brattishly annoying at the beginning of the book, but who goes on to discover that the right path to follow is the one where you walk with Aslan by your side
In the end, the books are all about adventure
Life is about the adventures you have and the different roads you take, but the seed I think Lewis is trying to plant in our heads is ‘What greater adventure is there than an adventure with God by our side?’

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