Introduction to the Book
Prince Caspian is usually read as the fourth of the 7 titles which make up the Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis actually completed Prince Caspian in 1949 which before the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was published.
Why should I read this book?
Firstly, it’s a good story and an essential component in the Chronicles of Narnia. It contains a good mixture of toughness and humour. Lewis’ “talking beasts” are often very human with conspicuous faults and foibles and there are several episodes of real fun. But there is also steel in the book as Lewis weaves in themes such costly obedience in the face of adversity; spiritual oppression and liberation from bondage. There are insights here, woven into the stories which we need to hear today – as much, possibly more, than ever.
The story in a few sentences
The story is set many centuries (in Narnian time) after the liberation of Narnia which we read about in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Narnia is once again occupied by malevolent forces – this time by a human people group called the Telmarines led by the wicked King Miraz who is implacably hostile to the native Narnians (talking beasts, trees, dwarfs etc).
Prince Caspian is the rightful heir to Narnia. He sides with the native Narnians and Aslan against his own wicked uncle Miraz. Caspian uses a magic horn (originally Susan’s) to summon help. In fact, the book starts when the four children - Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy – are sucked back into Narnia after Caspian blows the horn. After quite an adventure they join forces with Caspian. Miraz is killed and his forces are defeated by Aslan and the native Narnians including an army of living, moving trees
There is a lot in the book for the reader to enjoy and mull over:
1. Costly obedience in the face of adversity and sceptical disbelief:
Adults writing for children sometimes sugar-coat or sentimentalise difficult subjects. Lewis doesn’t do this. As they travel through difficult country to meet Caspian, Lucy, the youngest of the four children, catches a glimpse of Aslan and has a strong sense that they are to follow where he leads. But her companions see nothing. And because they don’t see Aslan, they don’t believe Lucy. So, the group, Lucy included, take a different route which leads them into danger.
In the next chapter (Chapter 10) Lucy is properly reunited with her beloved Aslan and talks to him about what happened earlier:
“I saw you all right. They wouldn’t believe me. There all so- “
From somewhere inside Aslan’s body there came the faintest suggestion of a growl.
“I’m sorry,” said Lucy...but it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”
The Lion looked straight into her eyes.
“Oh Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t mean it was? How could I – I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I. Don’t look at me like that...
Lucy buried her head in his mane to hide from his face. But there must have been magic in his mane. She could feel lion-strength going into her. Quite suddenly she sat up. “I’m sorry, Aslan,” she said. “I’m ready now.”
“Now, child,” said Aslan, when they had left the trees behind them, “I will wait here. Go and wake the others and tell them to follow. If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone.
We can sense in this story something of Jesus call to his disciples to follow him unconditionally. Or as Dietrich Bonhoeffer memorably expressed it in Cost of Discipleship:
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
2. Classical mythology in its (surprising) place:
You may be surprised to find figures from classical mythology making their appearance in Prince Caspian. These include Bacchus, the Greek god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine along with his companion Silenus and(later) a river god. And, you might be just as surprised to find these pagan deities allied with, although subservient to, Aslan. But Lewis seems to have believed that forces which might prove dangerous if put first, could find their proper place when Jesus Christ is given primacy. There are shades of his thinking here in the Four Loves, and in the Great Divorce.
Lucy and Susan discuss Bacchus at the end of Chapter 11.
[Lucy says to Susan]
“The boy with the wild face is Bacchus and the old one on the donkey is Silenus. Don’t you remember Mr Tumnus telling us about them long ago?”
“Yes, of course. But I say, Lu-“
“What?”
“I wouldn’t have felt safe with Bacchus and his wild girls if we’d met them without Aslan.”
“I should think not,” said Lucy.
3. The need for spiritual awakening
In old Narnia the trees are living creatures with voices, spirits and shapes but in Prince Caspian the trees are in a deep sleep until properly awakened by Aslan.
Lucy’s eyes began to grow accustomed to the light and she saw the trees that were nearest to her move distinctly. A great longing for the old days when the trees could talk in Narnia came over her....
“Oh, Trees, Trees, Trees,” said Lucy (though she had not been intending to speak at all). “Oh Trees, wake, wake, wake. Don’t you remember it? Don’t you remember me?
The trees stir at Lucy’s words, but do not wake up. But later on, in Chapter 11 - after Aslan roars - the trees are fully awakened.
What Lucy and Susan saw was a dark something coming to them from almost every direction across the hills. It looked first like a black mist creeping on the ground, then like the stormy waves of a black sea rising higher and higher as it came on, and then, at last like what it was woods on the move. All the trees of the world appeared to be rushing towards Aslan.
This is a magnificent metaphor for the state of the world – people in a deep sleep of materialism and therefore so much less than they were created to be. Wooden hearts rather that the living, vibrant and beautiful creatures they were created to be.
4. Captives released to great joy
Chapter 14 is rich with images of joy and excitement and release from captivity as Aslan sweeps to victory. In his parable of the hidden treasure in Matthew 13, Jesus tells us that the man who found the treasure went “in his joy”. And Lewis does really seem to capture a sense of joy and freedom and release and fun as those loyal to Aslan are set free. It is a delight to read. And the chapter includes some mini-stories of those touched by Aslan including a girl called Gwendolen and an old woman who is dying.
And there, still in her bed.... lay a little old woman who looked as if she had Dwarf blood in her. She was at death’s door, but when she opened her eyes and saw the bright, hairy head of the lion staring into her face, she did not scream or faint. She said, “Oh, Aslan! I knew it was true. I’ve been waiting for this all my life. Have you come to take me away?”
“Yes Dearest,” said Aslan. “But not the long journey yet.” And as he spoke, like the flush creeping along the underside of a cloud at sunrise, the colour came back to her white face and her eyes grew bright and she sat up and said, “Why, I do declare I feel that better. I think I could take a little breakfast this morning.
I’ve enjoyed “Prince Caspian”, what’s next?
The next (and fifth) book in the Chronicles of Narnia, is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.....
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Christopher Simpson
Chris Simpson lives in Sheffield, UK, with his wife where they are members of Meadowhead Christian Fellowship. Chris is well-known for his interest in C S Lewis.