Narnia: Aslan's Roar/Aslan's Purr Series

Aslan’s Roar/Aslan’s Purr

Selected Texts

HOT TOPICS: NARNIA

December 18, 2005

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Disney just released a movie they have bet $100 million on becoming a great hit.

“Narnia” is based on C.S. Lewis’ children’s tale, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

(Show promo picture of movie)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is really all about the lion.

Here you meet a lion named Aslan that both roars and purrs.

(show picture of roaring lion)

Written in 1950-- 86 million copies --still sells more than 1 million each year

It is about four children who find their way into the fairy tale land of “Narnia.”

(show picture of wintry Narnia,)

In Narnia animals talk, but fear also a wicked witch.

(show sinister picture of witch)

She always keeps Narnia in winter, but Christmas never comes.

Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are children who discover Narnia.

(show picture of the children)

Lucy discovers Narnia first; then Edmund.

The witch uses candy and a promise of a kingdom to entrap Edmund. He secretly aligns with the witch against his brother and sisters.

(Show picture of Mr. Beaver)

Mr. Beaver is an affable hero who introduces the most important character, a lion named, “Aslan.” Aslan has an amazing effect on everyone.

Let me read you a portion of the story. Mr. Beaver says,

“They say Aslan is on the move--perhaps has already landed."

And now a very courious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do, but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning--either a terrifying one which turns the whole drream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning; too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that drream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of holidays or the beginning of summer.” Pg. 74

Aslan is obviously the center of the story. No figure is as central. Without knowing Aslan you miss the whole story.

Pg. 86 “Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion--The Lion, the great Lion."

"Ooh!" said Susan. "I’d thought he was a man." Is he---quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."

That you will, dearie, and make no mistake." said Mrs. Beaver, "if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly."

"Then he isn’t safe?" said Lucy.

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver; "don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe?" ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Edmund sneaks off to find the witch. She treats him poorly. --furious - he failed to bring his brother and sisters. --In a foul mood because Aslan has returned it’s beginning to thaw.

(Show picture with all at the stone table)

The story climaxes with all meeting at the Stone Table.

Aslan’s triumphal roar is deafening and all seems ready to end, but the witch demands an ancient law be upheld, -- that all traitors belong to her, specifically Edmund.

Aslan brokers a deal. No one seems to catch the terms.

Edmond learned that even if you do not choose Aslan as a friend, Aslan chooses you.

Optimism is high even in the witch as she leaves without Edmund. A celebration happens and stories are shared but Aslan quietly slips away.

Lucy and Susan notice and follow. Aslan allows but it’s a solemn march.

There is no roar from the lion just a sorrowful purr.

To the girl’s horror the brokered agreement involved a trade far too incredible to believe. It was Aslan’s life for Edmund’s freedom!!!!

In a dramatic scene, the witch has Aslan tied and shaved, the great Aslan is humiliated and he does not roar!

Then she succeeds in putting Aslan to death on the Stone Table.

The children are in despair. All hope is gone. How could this happen? There is neither purr nor roar, Aslan is silent.