The Narnia books occupied our childhood bookshelves and we read The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. The first book of the series written, it is the easiest to follow and the most palatable for children’s tastes. It is easy to understand the characters and the plot- there is less complexity and vagueness in the original title of the Narnia series.
Prince Caspian and the other six books of the series sat on the shelf at my childhood home- maybe my sister read them but I never did. I might have tried but they seemed confusing- hard to follow the plot and get all the characters straight. I just finished Prince Caspian for the first time at age 47 and now I understand why I never read it as a child. This is not a children’s book- it contains a story within a story- two different dwarves who seem very similar in each part of the plot. The setting is also complex- it takes place in Narnia thousands of years after the original Narnia story. The children, who reentered English society after ruling Narnia for man years, are pulled back into a Narnian world that is thousands of years older and now ruled by Telemarines. The Telemarines conquered Narnia and are ruling it under a different regime- one in which the old talking creatures of Narnia are silenced and thought mostly dead. Because a son of Adam is supposed to rule Narnia- the existing Narnian creatures who are in hiding agree that a Telemarines must be put in charge- but they must find a good human to fulfill this job amongst the Telemarines. This is very confusing to a reader- that some of the conquering people are good and some are bad- we as a reader are left hanging trying to decipher the good conquerors from the bad. We find out at the end from Asian that the Telemarines accidentally entered Narnia in a way similar to the four children from England- by accidentally entering a chasm between their world and Narnia- and he offers them a way back into Telmar if they wish to go.
At the beginning, the children are pulled off the train station platform and fall back into Narnia; this time the wardrobe is not involved in their transport. They immediately encounter a dwarf being drowned by Telemarines soldiers and Susan rescues him with a swift shot of her bow and arrow (from the first book). This dwarf, named Trumpkin, catches them up on the world of Narnia under the rule of the Telemarines-this is where the confusing “story within a story” convolutes the plot. Trumpkin tells them of the rightful heir to the Narnian throne, Prince Caspian- whose father King Caspian was murdered by his Uncle Miraz who then assumed his throne. Up until Miraz had a son of his own he was content to let Prince Caspian inherit the throne- but upon the birth of his son Prince Caspian must flee for his life.
Prince Caspian escapes, barely, with the help of his tutor, Doctor Cornelius who is a dwarf in disguise. Doctor Cornelius has told Caspian the history of Narnia and about the talking beasts and trees that have been stifled and silenced in the new regime. He escapes on his horse into the forrest of creatures in hiding- and is eventually rescued and nursed by a few of them- a badger, two dwarves- Trumpkin and an evil dwarf named Nikabrik. When Trumpkin is sent to receive help near Cair Paravel ruins he is captured by Telemarines and that is when Susan rescues him. Meanwhile, Nikabrik and Trufflehunter (badger) remain behind to try to save Narnia from the evil Telemarines and revive the talking creatures of old.
The plot includes a scene with Caspian and Nikabrik in dialogue about conjuring up other powers besides Aslan to help them conquer Narnia. It is symbolic of using witchcraft or sorcery to achieve a goal- ultimately Nikabrik and his two helpers are killed but not without a fight.
The other theme is how Aslan guides them through the Narnian wilderness- that has changed considerably since they left. Ultimately, he destroys a bridge everybody expects to be there and awakens the trees- trapping the Telemarines and then adding numbers to the Narnian army allowing them to conquer the Telemarines.
Characters from Greek mythology are referenced during the celebratory part of the story- Bacchus and Silenus. The inclusion of pagan Greek gods is possibly a reference to Lewis’s own literary past- a reference to the idea that Christianity doesn’t negate all importance of these mythological characters. They still have a place in symbolism and can play a part of imaginary fantasy. They recur several times during the second part of the book. I wondered if this was also a reference to the timelessness of Narnia- although Mr. Tumnus from the first story is gone, he was the one who pointed out these Greek mythology creatures in the original story. And then they appear at the same age in Prince Caspian- as is Aslan (who represents Jesus Christ).
Humility is also emphasized- Prince Caspian must admit he does not feel adequate to rule Narnia before he is crowned king. Aslan states that if he felt adequate he would not be fit to rule.
The final scene is a powerful, yet confusing narrative of return to one’s world of origin. Aslan finally tells the Telemarines from where they came- the same place as the four children. The entire story we do not know this- only at the very end. They were pirates and some of the pirates escaped to what they thought was a cave only to fall through the chasm into the world of Narnia. He makes a doorway out of scraps- if they walk through the door they can forever return to where they came from- the land of Telmar.
The themes, plot and character development in Narnia is too complex and sophisticated for children- this is more of an adult fantasy. Do you agree?
