Into the Wardrobe: C. S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles

by David C. Downing

Published in the early 1950s, C. S. Lewis's seven Chronicles of Narnia were proclaimed instant children's classics and have been hailed in The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature as "the most sustained achievement in fantasy for children by a 20th-century author." But how could Lewis (a formidable critic, scholar, and Christian apologist)conjure up the kind of adventures in which generations of children (and adults) take such delight? In this engaging and insightful book, C. S. Lewis expert David C. Downing invites readers to join his vivid exploration of the Chronicles of Narnia , offering a detailed look at the enchanting stories themselves and also focusing on the extraordinary intellect and imagination of the man behind the Wardrobe. Downing presents each Narnia book as its own little wardrobe - each tale an opportunity to discover a visionary world of bustling vitality, sparkling beauty, and spiritual clarity. And Downing's examination of C. S. Lewis's personal life shows how the content of these classic children's books reflects Lewis's love of wonder and story, his affection for animals and homespun things, his shrewd observations about human nature, along with his vast reading, robust humor, theological speculations, medieval scholarship, and arcane linguistic jokes. A fun glossary of odd and invented words will allow readers to speak with Narnian flair, regaling friends and family with unusual words like cantrips, poltoonery, hastilude, and skirling. A masterful work that will appeal to both new and seasoned fans of Narnia, Into the Wardrobe offers a journey beyond Narnia's deceptively simple surface and into its richly textured and unexpected depths.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity, Biography, Religion

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

I am a professor of English at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is on the edge of "Amish country," and I sometimes pass a horse and buggy on my way to and from campus.

I grew up in Colorado, went to college in Santa Barbara, CA, and earned my PhD from UCLA. I currently teach professional and creative writing at Elizabethtown, as well as a first-year seminar on quest narratives.

I first read the Narnia Chronicles as a college sophomore. I was so enthralled, I read all seven books in a month, then re-read them again the next month. I published my first article on C. S. Lewis that same year. I tackled Lord of the Rings in my junior year of college, and I still remember reading all night, the sun coming up just when I discovered that Gandalf had returned. What a glorious dawn that was!

Living less that an hour from Gettysburg, I have become one of many Civil War buffs in this part of the country. I published A South Divided: Portraits of Dissent in the Confederacy in 2007, a study of Southerners who supported the Union during the war.

My wife, Crystal, is a professor of English and film studies at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania. She is the author of Writing Performances: The Stages of Dorothy L. Sayers (2004) and How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith (2006).

Reviews

[Rosemary Atwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to Lewis’s influences and to the background of the seven Narnian chronicles with a comprehensive bibliography for further study.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Above average for your typical “here’s the meaning of Narnia” book. Explores how Lewis’s personal experiences and beliefs influenced Narnia. And gives some helpful analysis or explanation of character development, themes, and names. There’s a handy glossary at the back that explains much of the obscure references and vocabulary in the Chronicles.

A little too much plot summary at certain points. But I’d still recommend over many other simplistic books on Narnia.

Also by David C. Downing:
--The Most Reluctant Convert: C. S. Lewis's Journey to Faith
--Planets in Peril: A Critical Study of C. S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy
--C.S. Lewis and the Arts: Creativity in the Shadowlands

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reveals how literature, mythology, and Lewis' life influenced The Chronicles of Narnia. It also explores spiritual and moral lessons. I especially liked the chapters "Classical and Medieval Elements" and "What's in a Narnian Name?"

I read this because it was referenced in Inside The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by Devin Brown.

In my notes below, quotes are from the author, unless I say they're from Lewis.

Emeth
Emeth's salvation is explained by Lewis' inclusivist view:

"… that Christ's reconciling work may sometimes apply even to those who are not aware of it. Lewis did not feel that he was being unorthodox in this matter. He refers several times in his letters to Christ's portrayal of judgement in which he welcomes those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited the sick, saying that all such service done for the least of his brethren is accounted as service done to him."

In a 1952 letter, Lewis said, "I think every prayer which is sincerely made, even to a false god … is accepted by the true God, and that Christ saves many who do not think they know him."

Moral Psychology
Lewis preferred simple, old-fashioned things, and complained about preoccupation with luxury and technology. In the Chronicles, it's the evil characters who are always thinking about tech and industrial development (Uncle Andrew, Edmund while with the Witch, Shift the Ape).

When a reader asked about the fate of the feasting squirrels in Lion, Lewis answered that they were returned to normal when Aslan rescued the others who had been stone.

Classical and Medieval Elements

"Lewis's whole person was drawn to a time when Western civilization could with some accuracy be called Christendom and when a predominant literary form was epic romance. The world of Aquinas and King Arthur, of Boethius and Beowulf."

Lewis included pagan mythological elements in his stories because Lewis believed that the noblest classical myths represented "a real though unfocused gleam of divine truth falling on human imagination" (Lewis). "Lewis noted with approval how medieval and Elizabethan authors freely mixed classical and Christian elements in their creative works."

Lewis used archaic language to contribute to the atmosphere of medieval romance.

Lewis didn't believe in astrology, but he found it imaginatively attractive. It encourages humility (forces of nature control us more than we control them), and movement of planets and stars confirms cosmic order.

What's in a Narnian Name?
Word "frank" originally referred to a French nobleman in England. In Middle Ages, frankness suggested the aristocratic ideals of gentleness, courtesy, honesty.

"Puddleglum" comes from a 16th century poet who described the river Styx as a "puddle glum."

Jewel is named after an Anglican cleric whose heart was good but who was too easily drawn into rash controversies.

Dr. Cornelius is named after Cornelius Agrippa, a 15th century Christian scholar who believed one could practice a certain amount of white magic without danger to one's soul.

The green kirtle was inspired by the kirtle and green sash in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

For names of good characters and places, Lewis used liquids and nasals, which have musical, soft tones. For bad characters and places, he used dissonant-sounding names with fricatives and plosives, which sound prosaic and harsh.

Roonwit has the "wit" to read "roons" (runes).

Lewis' Literary Artistry
It's usually negative lame characters who make sexist remarks.

Tash isn't a demonization of Islam; he's modeled on Middle Eastern Efreets (demons).

The objectionable traits of the Calormenes come from Lewis' source materials, which arose among Middle Easterners, not outsiders. There are several anti-racist passages in the Chronicles.

Definitions, Allusions, and Textual Notes
Mice nibbling Aslan's cords: allusion to one of Aesop's fables.

White stag: Celtic lore includes a white stag who grants one wish to those who catch him.

Bridge Builder: translation of Pontifex Maximus, a Roman official in charge of bridges. Early Christians called Christ "the Pontifex" because he built a bridge between humans and God, mortality and immortality.

Salamanders in fire: medieval texts speak of gnomes in the earth and salamanders in fire.

Tirian and Jewel's rage: echoes Moses striking down and Egyptian slavemaster.

[Alantie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book that offers some interesting insights and some background on C.S. Lewis and how it manifested in his writing the Chronicles of Narnia series. It is a bit shorter than I had expected and doesn't delve a whole lot into some issues I had thought it would, but nevertheless I think it works very well as a straightforward opening to exploring some of the ideas and thoughts about Lewis and the books for those curious to begin learning more. It opens with a brief overview of his life and brings up several key events and people who influenced the Narnia books and some of the characters.

I appreciated that Downing stresses that there are many influences upon the series, and that while Christian themes are prevalent due to Lewis' personal beliefs, he also makes it clear that Lewis never set out to make the books only a Christian allegory and that there are more influences there as well. I was quite pleased by the pointing out of classical mythology - Roman and Greek- and story themes and archetypes that are apparent as these were also things that Lewis had a great deal of interest in as well. There were even a few pointed out that I hadn't recognized before or hadn't heard of. I also was intrigued with the mentions of other works and writings that had likely influenced the Narnia books, and would like to know more about them.

Overall, I think this is a great book as an introduction to some of the inspiration behind the series and understanding Lewis better as an author. It is short, simply and plainly put, and is essentially meant to highlight and help with understanding some basic core principles and themes, and a good read for anyone interested in knowing a bit more. It's definitely sparked my interest to learn more!

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this be an entertaining and insightful read. The author included a number of interesting facts about C.S. Lewis and explained how aspects of his life found their way into his writing of the Chronicles of Narnia. Furthermore, the author did a good job of not falling into the trap of trying to read between the lines of the Narnia books and twisting elements to fit a particular narrative he is trying to argue. Finally, while this is a quick read that can be read straight through, it does not have to be read in any particular order. The author often repeats information and arguments pertaining to topics that arise in multiple chapters, so the reader will not be missing essential information if he or she chooses to read according to interest in the topic as opposed to reading in order.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This makes me want to read the Narnia series all over again! On the whole this was a very interesting read (I did run into some "dry"-ness and there are a lot of appendixes/extra info at the back so this book looks a lot longer than it is).

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to further explore the wonderful world of Narnia. David C. Downing takes readers through Narnia and explores the elements of Narnia that make the chronicles appealing to readers of all ages.

[Micah Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff but little that felt new. I’ve listened to the Wade center podcasts on Narnia twice now so I’ve heard most of the best parts before. I also expected this to be a bit more academic like Planets in Peril but it was much more popular level, which makes sense for when it was published. I mostly just wanted to have read this book, but I would have loved it in high school.
All this is not at all to say Downing doesn’t offer many contributions to my reading of the Chronicles. He points out a wealth of literary allusions. I think we may err slightly too far in the ‘it’s not an allegory’ conversation because he fails to point out some deeper Biblical allusions that are almost certainly there.
If you want one good, scholarly book on Narnia it should be Planet Narnia, and if you want Downing’s best shorthair on Lewis it should be Planets in Peril.

[Calvin Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would be more enjoyable for someone who has read the Chronicles only a few times. That to say, the last couple chapters were quite good.

[Richard Bicknase · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 3.5 stars if that were an option.

I enjoyed reading this, but I have enjoyed other, more thorough analyses of the Narnia books and C.S. Lewis more than this one. It would be a good introduction for those for those who haven't read other Narnia analysis or Lewis biography material, or who want a short and sweet treatment.

[Marilyn Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read and loved the Narnia books this book is for you! So many interesting insights and context for the writing of the Narnia books. It starts more biographical then goes deep into where C. S. Lewis got his ideas for the books, etc and for the character names and so much more!

[Abigail Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like these remind me why I love the God C. S. Lewis portrayed so much.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped to further appreciate the richness of the Narnia stories. Learning the historical context of Lewis’s life helps me to see why certain plot motifs play out in his works and even how certain characters reflect real people that he knew throughout his life. Now I need to go reread the Chronicles of Narnia again!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave a lot of insight into CS Lewis's inspiration for the Chronicles, yet was really easy to read. My favorite parts were on CS Lewis's view of fantasy and it's importance as a genre (interestly enough both Lewis and Neil Gaiman admired GK Chesterton as a fantasy writer - I am hoping to read some of his work). I also enjoyed learning more about the Lewis's passion for both the classical and the medieval.
The parts of Lewis's Christian faith will obviously not be as inviting to all readers, but I'm always fascinated to learn how an author's beliefs influence their writing - whether or not I wholeheartedly embrace the same belief.

[Blaine Welgraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

“For Lewis, too many things about our contemporary world have become dreary and unenchanted. By inviting readers to a place called Narnia, he wants to re-enchant us, to revive our sense of wonder, to regale our inner vision with adventures of great peril and greater promise. He seeks as well to renew our Hope, to suggest a bright benevolence at the heart of things – not only in imagined worlds, but also in our own.”

—David C. Downing, Into the Wardrobe

A truly enriching primer that examines and elucidates the spiritual vision, moral psychology, classical and medieval elements, naming conventions, and personal experiences that all combined to form Lewis’s Narnian world.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and informative -- well-written and had lots of interesting points and connections. Good biographical information about C.S. Lewis, and explanations of how some of the events and people in his life (like boarding school, the headmaster at his boarding school, and friends) influenced plots and characters in Narnia. Also lots of other interesting explanations (like how Lewis used sources like classical mythology to create or name characters and places) and correlations between his life/studies/interests and his stories.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of Clive Staples Lewis provides an in-depth analysis of The Chronicles of Narnia. Within this book were some facts of which I had not been aware. Comparisons and contrasts are made between Lewis and his good friend John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Lewis' influences are mentioned, including Gilbert Keith Chesterton, George MacDonald, and Edith Nesbit. There are a few spoilers for stories such as MacDonald's Phantastes and Shakespeare's The Tempest. A book worthy enough for inclusion in any C.S. Lewis fan's collection.

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finished the Narnia series as an adult, I still had questions regarding some of the things I found in the series. While Downing's book did not answer all of my questions, it did give me some background into the life and mind of the great C.S. Lewis. It was a quick read with much information as to specific references within the series and has an incredible list of other works to reference in regards to Lewis and the Narnia chronicles.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third review of a book about C.S. Lewis and the Narnia Series.

I was very pleased with the latter end of the book which discussed the origins of language that Lewis used.

Very interesting and helpful in developing my understanding for the religious parallels and the value of Mr. Lewis himself.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Into the Wardrobe is a good basic introduction to the life and thought of CS Lewis, particularly with respect to the Chronicles of Narnia, but it is a slim, and somewhat thin, volume, which provides little new to anyone who has already read something about Jack Lewis. The Narnian, by Alan Jacobs, is better on Lewis's literary imagination.

[Tintinrulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Into the Wardrobe" by David C. Downing is a great, little book. I've read many titles about "The Chronicles of Narnia" and C.S. Lewis but this book still managed to offer some new material. Also included is a comprehensive list of terms used throughout the Narnia books that may be unfamiliar to the modern reader. Very useful. Overall, the book is well-written, informative and interesting.

8/10

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book that gives background on C.S. Lewis' life and what inspired different parts of the stories in the Chronicles of Narnia. I've always appreciated the Narnia stories, but this really got me to understand it more.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Besides the fact that I knew a lot of the backstory already from my scouring the Internet and reading about CS Lewis in the past this book is a great read for Narnia fans and filled with fun facts! I highly recommend to all fans of the series- really well done! And I love the cover art!

[Megan Reichelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really awesome and comprehensive so far. Exactly what I want every book on Narnia/ C.S. Lewis to be.

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting, though rather broad read. I think it will provide an interesting starting place to explore further from, as there are lots of references to essays and other works.

[Christina]

Recommended by Diane Garaway

[Thomas Grosh IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desire an introduction to C.S. Lewis' Narnia Chronicles? Then this is the book for you.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good background info on Narnia!