Although the reader may be more familiar with Christmas in Narnia, in relation to Christian festivals in C. S. Lewis’s fantasy, Easter may resonate more when exploring Christian themes. The same is also true of the work of Lewis’s fellow Inkling, J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In both pieces of epic fantasy, there is a Christ- like figure who sacrifices himself to save others. Lewis’s world was a direct analogy, whereas Tolkien demonstrated that we all have Christ within us. Given that Easter is upon us, coupled with the future adaptations of Lewis and Tolkien’s world’s, now is the time to discuss the importance of the Crucifixion and Resurrection in Narnia and Middle Earth.
In the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is the creator of the world. He first appears in The Magician’s Nephew, where he is described as a ‘huge, shaggy and bright’ lion. His first act is to sing ‘by which he had called up the stars and the sun … and as he walked the valley grew green with grass’. This is a clear symbolism of Aslan being God, in direct reference to how God created the world in Genesis. Another character who is there at creation was Jadis the White Witch, whose satanic purpose in life is to tempt others, and plot for power. Aslan and Jadis would proceed to have many struggles between good and evil, culminating in the novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Here, Jadis had convinced Edmond to unwittingly join her cause by betraying his family, believing that his betrayal is enough for her to cling onto power. Aslan understands far better the events about to unfold, since ‘though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, she would have read there was a different incantation. She would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack, and Death itself would start working backwards.’ Aslan had just sacrificed himself to save Edmond, and indeed the whole of Narnia, just as Christ did on the Cross for humanity. Perhaps the most important part of the above quote is ‘when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead’. This is precisely the nature of Christ’s death on the Cross, since during the eucharist, He is acknowledged to have been a ‘pure victim… spotless victim’.
After Aslan’s sacrifice, Narnia returned to its peaceful, prosperous and happy days, under the reigns of the four child monarchs, and the end of the long winter. This does not mean that evil was completely eradicated from Narnia, as seen in later novels such as Prince Caspian and The Last Battle; but thanks to Aslan’s eternal sacrifice, Narnians had a chance for eternal salvation. Just like the long winter represented the time before Christ, and Jadis represented Satan; Narnia after Aslan’s death and resurrection symbolises the world after Christ’s death and resurrection. Evil still exists, and humanity and Narnians alike are fallen creatures, but we have been saved, because a pure and spotless victim was killed.
Whereas Lewis’s creation used Asan as an analogous comparison with Christ, Tolkien’s legendarium is not so precise in terms of a character who was directly like Christ. That does not mean, however, that none of the characters had Christ- like qualities. Notably Gandalf’s fight with the Balrog was not a vainglorious battle, but a necessary one to save the fellowship, and one which had deep Christian connotations. The Balrog is described as ‘a great shadow; in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe; yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it’. It is one of the beasts created by Morgoth, who Tolkien explained was ‘satanic’, meaning that the Balrog itself is symbolic of the fallen Angels. This is suggestive that Gandalf’s role was similar to that of St Michael, after he cast Lucifer out of God’s Kingdom. After all, Gandalf was one of the Maia, Angels from the Undying Lands, sent to save Middle Earth.
However, his resurrection after the fight in Moria implies that he was closer to Christ himself, than St Michael. The Tolkien expert David Day writes that ‘the wizard’s spirit was resurrected as Gandalf the White, a radiant being no weapon could harm’. His resurrection at least, therefore, was suggestive of Jesus’s resurrection at Easter. Gandalf’s story may not have been that of Aslan, since he did not create Middle Earth, but Tolkien still wrote him as a character who was partially inspired by Christ. This Christian inspiration is also emulated in the lives of other characters in the Lord of the Rings, particularly Aragorn and Samwise. Aragorn is a reluctant King who is willing to lay down his life to save others. For instance, after the breaking of the fellowship, he convinces Legolas and Gimli to help him search for the missing hobbits, despite being heavily outnumbered. He was more than willing to risk his life to save two ‘halflings’, since every creature, however small, has worth. This is deeply Christian, since self- sacrifice is arguably the greatest act any Christian can do.
Samwise also demonstrates tremendous courage when carrying the ring, which metaphorically represents sin and evil, and not getting tempted by its power, unlike almost every other character. The cross he had to bear ultimately involved carrying Frodo, with the ring, to the Crack of Doom. Despite coming from such humble roots, as a gardener, Sam was the one who assisted the ring bearer in defeating Sauron. Both Sam and Aragorn therefore go through self- sacrificial journeys, where they carry huge burdens, akin to that of Christ on the Cross. They demonstrate therefore that we all have the potential to be like Christ. Lewis also has characters, beyond Aslan, who bear great burdens. Peter especially shows Christian virtues, since like Aragorn, he is a reluctant King who is willing to lay down his life for others.
Ultimately, both Lewis and Tolkien had references to Easter and Christ’s Passion in their works of epic fantasy. Lewis explicitly used Aslan as a direct analogy to Christ. As the son of the Emperor Beyond the Seas, Aslan lays down his life to defeat evil ‘in a traitor’s stead’, ensuring that ‘Death itself would start working backwards’. Tolkien also had a character who was resurrected, in Gandalf. Gandalf’s journey appears to have been influenced by a combination of St Michael and Jesus. Beyond Gandalf, Sam and Aragorn are at times like- Christ, as they bear their crosses with dignity and courage. What both Lewis and Tolkien illustrate is that man has the potential to rise beyond his fallen state, and to live like Christ on Earth.