The Witch, And The Wardrobe By C. S. Lewis

Fantasy plays a big role in the life of children because fantasy helps to create children's creative ability. Since there is no such thing as magic in our world, children are left to use their imagination. There is a border between the world of fantasy, and the natural world. We can define these borders because one world is the world in which we live, and the other is one in which we have to imagine. When we are young, our parents read us fairy tales which show us the value of fantasy. In the book The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, we see how fantasy plays a huge role in this book. There are many different types of creatures in the book, which help to create the fantasy behind the book. Narnia is a parallel world which is
completely made up, children love for the fantasy adventure. There are many things children can learn from fantasy books, but also things that we as adults can learn. Adults can learn the value fantasy holds and be able to connect to their childhood. The creativity adults hold, can lay dominate, and while reading this book their creativity can come alive again. Narnia is set in a parallel world, and is the main setting for the novel; which the children in the book can access through a wardrobe.
In many children's books, we see a secondary world in which only children are able to get to, and adults cannot reach. In order to go to these imaginary worlds, the children must use their imagination. Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter are all able to get this world because they are children. Children can see while they are reading this book, any child can get into Narnia as long as they use their imagination. This shows just how important it is for children to use their imagination. Many children after they start to grow up into adults, stop using their imagination. The professor knows there is a secret world through the wardrobe, and explains this to Susan and Peter, “If there really is some other world (and I should warn you that this is a very strange house, and even I know very little about it)- if, I say, she had got into another world, I should not be at all surprised to find that the other world had a separate time of it's own; so that however long you stayed there it would never take up any time of our time” (49). The professor, whom the children were living with, knew of this other world in which the children could get to own their own. Since he is an adult, he is not able to get through to Narnia, but he knows about the powers in which the house, holds. Lewis shows us through his novel, just how important it is to use imagination.
Children can learn from his fantasy world, that using your imagination can get children to these great worlds. Which they would never have been able to without imagination. Christianity is a topic in which children read about in many fantasy novels. Lewis tries to introduce Christianity to children though Aslan, the giant lion. Though, through the book there is no mention of Christianity, there is clear references to it. Aslan is the Christ figure in the story, and children can tell while they are reading this book, that Aslan is the one who is in charge. People fear Aslan when he is near. When there is even a mention of Aslan's name there is a an effect, like the answering to a prayer, “It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt a sensation of mysterious horror” (68). The children, though they do not know who Aslan is, know there is something about that name. Aslan is a god-like figure because He is everywhere and nowhere all at the same time. This is how Christians believe God is. God is everywhere with you, but he also cannot be seen. Many children who are religious, know that Jesus died on the cross for us so we can live. In this book, Aslan gives up his life for Edmund, so Edmund would be able to live. Aslan knew he had to sacrifice himself, just as Jesus does in the Bible. Lewis shows us through his stories of fantasy Christian ways and different stories of the Bible, through his story. Lewis is able to use Christianity through his fantasy novels, to help show children the importance of religion. The talking animals in fantasy novels also play an important role for children.
When Lucy first reaches Narnia, she encounters a faun, Mr. Tumnus. Mr. Tumnus is a half man, half goat, “From the waist upward he was like a man, but his legs were shaped like a goat's (the hair on them was glossy black) and instead of feet he had goat's hoofs” (10). He is not the only talking animal in this story though. We also encounter beavers who can talk, a lion, and many other animals who help out Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan. The beavers help Lucy, Susan, and Peter to get their brother back. In the 'normal world,’' we cannot talk to animals and have them respond to us, but in Narnia the animals are just like the humans. They even have the same laws to follow as the humans who live in Narnia. If you are to eat and kill another animal who is able to talk, then it is considered murder. If you are to kill a non-talking animal, then it is okay, and you are allowed to eat them. Lewis is able to show children all animals and humans are all alike. Many people do not believe that animals and humans are equals, but throughout the novel they are. This also shows children how everyone is an equal. In today's world, many people think they are better than others. When, in fact, we are all equals. Lewis is trying to show children everyone is equal. Even the animals who can
talk. Throughout the novel, Lewis is able to show children why fantasy is so important. Children get their great imaginations from reading books like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Fantasy books take children to places they could never go; parallel worlds. Fantasy books are also important to children because they teach children the importance of religion and equality. Lewis is able to show children through his book how everyone is equal. Just because we all do not look the same does not mean that you are better than someone else. Which is a lesson we try and teach all young kids. The last thing Lewis does is to teach children about religion while they may not know it. Lewis does not state anywhere in the book that it has to do with Christianity, but Aslan is a God-like figure. Aslan is the one who rules over Narnia and gives up his life just as Jesus did. Lewis is able to show the importance of fantasy in his books for children. There are many things which children can learn from reading fantasy books, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is one of those books.