The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Today’s Goals
Investigate the life of C.S. Lewis
Examine Lewis’ inspiration for writing The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Define “allegory”

Class Poll – Which are you?
Oldest/only child:
Middle child:
Youngest child:

Class Poll – Which are you?
What is it like to be the Oldest? Only child? Middle? Youngest?
What responsibilities do you have?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is about four siblings who love each other, have adventures together, and have different responsibilities.

Your Responsibilities
Think about how your responsibilities have changed as you have gotten older.
What new responsibilities do you have at home or at school?
How do you think your responsibilities will change as you get older?

Who wrote The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Why do you think the author wrote a story about the adventures of four children?

K-W-L C.S. Lewis

Who was C.S. Lewis?

C.S. Lewis: Fast Facts
1898: Born Clive Staples Lewis in Ireland
1910: Developed respiratory issues (trouble breathing)
1911: Sent to Malvern, England, which was famous as a health resort, especially for those with lung problems
1917: Enlisted in the British Army after the outbreak of WWI
1918: Wounded in battle and sent home (discharged)
1931: Became a Christian (see next slide for more info.)
1942: Gave live radio talks on “What Christians Believe” and “Christian Behavior” (later published as Mere Christianity)
1950: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is released

Becoming a Christian: Lewis’ Story
One evening in September, Lewis had a long talk on Christianity with J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson.
Lewis recorded: “When we set out by motorcycle to the Whipsnade Zoo, I did not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did.”

“Mere Christianity” Quotes
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
What does Lewis mean?

“Mere Christianity” Quotes
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
What does Lewis mean?

“Mere Christianity” Quotes
“When you argue against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.”
What does Lewis mean?

Why write The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Lewis wanted to write an allegory. What is an allegory?
An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning.

What might be the hidden meaning behind Lewis’ book?
Why would he want to write a book in this way?

Examples of Allegories
The Wizard of Oz:
The lion represents:
cowardice.
The scarecrow stands for:
the farming past.
The tin man represents:
the technological future.

Examples of Allegories
Dr. Seuss’s Yertle the Turtle:
An allegory that criticizes totalitarian forms of government
Explains how this type of government destroys the freedom of the people
It is a direct response to Adolf Hitler and WWII

Examples of Allegories
In Art:
“Allegory of Music” by Filippino Lippi
Painted in the year 1500
Tempera on panel 61 x 51 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin