The unending struggle between Good and Evil has consistently been the most central theme in literature and philosophy. Numerous authors attempted to reveal the issue by evaluating it from moral, cultural, and social perspectives. For example, C. S. Lewis, a well-known British author, and literal writer, considerably enhanced the world’s literary legacy. His masterpiece “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” a fascinating tale that has captivated a global audience of all and sundry, deserves special consideration. Despite the narrative’s relatively basic style, the author succeeded in conveying important intellectual and social themes, such as the significance of reconciliation, the issue of generational differences and trustworthiness, and, obviously, the difficulty of evil and good. Undoubtedly, the essence of the goodness of an individual or people can only manifest in the existence of evil.
The contrast between good and evil can sometimes be depicted as a confrontation between humans and an internal struggle inside an individual. It demonstrates the belief that humans cannot be wholly noble or wicked; thus, both characteristics indicate humans. Certain feelings are dominant, while others are buried or suppressed. The nature of an individual’s dominating emotions is determined by their personality. Throughout the book, Lewis portrays several instances of the internal conflict of the protagonists. Particularly, the writer explains Edmund’s inner perspective after he ditches his siblings when they are misled by the White Witch’s magic.
“Son of Adam, I should so much like to see your brother and your
two sisters. Will you bring them to see me?” (p. 18).
Evidently, the above quote illustrates Edmund’s greed; precisely, he is willing to surrender his siblings in a bid to have more of the Turkish Delight. However, because of his inherent decency, he transcends his addiction to greed and is pardoned by Lucy. The sensation of guilt stifled his zeal, allowing him to regain the balance of his spirit and intellect. This specific instance demonstrates that recognizing goodwill is difficult without contrasting it with evil. This dominance of the wicked attribute in the White Witch’s heart demonstrates her antagonist’s frailty and inability to conquer her wrath and arrogance.
Moreover, the heroes of the books vividly exemplify a further external clash between Good and Evil. The most prominent conflict between Aslan, the epitome of bravery and nobility, and the White Witch, the personification of all humanity’s character flaws. Therefore, wickedness can only be vanquished by combining all malevolent human personalities “there stood Peter and Edmund and all the rest of Aslan’s army fighting desperately (Lewis, 2017, p. 93) …” and eliminating evil deeds. In this specific instance, Lewis illustrates the conflict between the modern world and the realm of nature, which humans unknowingly harm. The clash between animals and humans symbolizes the war between Good and Evil. Consequently, animals, including the mythological faun Tumnus are seen as the manifestation of all good people’s ideals and traits of personality. Moreover, the novel’s incarnation of creatures reveals that Narnia is a land of fairies in everything but name.
Overall, God’s purpose is to reprimand his people for their transgressions. In the novel, God is identified with the lion, whose purpose is to chastise his followers. Thus, the coronation of the children signified the triumph of goodwill over wickedness. In a fantasy world, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” is the finest depiction of actual human relationships. Nevertheless, this anecdote demonstrates how difficult it is to believe in miracles. Essentially, the capacity for vision surpasses the capacity for understanding since the human potential is limitless.
Reference
Lewis, C. S. (2017). The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ebook Samizdat.