My oldest son is rereading these, and we relived a memory of our kids hearing Narnia for the first time as kids. It inspired me to reread the whole series this summer.
The part that stood out to me was the reactions of the four children when they heard about Aslan for the first time. Here is a summary:
When the children first hear the name Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, they do not yet know who he is, but the mere mention of his name instantly evokes strong, distinct feelings in each of them LitCharts.
According to the text, the Beaver says, “They say Aslan is on the move—perhaps has already landed.” At that moment, each child feels something “jump in its inside” — a sudden, powerful sensation LitCharts. Specifically:
- Edmund feels a sensation of mysterious horror — a mix of fear and unease, possibly because he is already suspicious of the White Witch and wary of danger eNotes.com+1.
- Peter feels suddenly brave and adventurous — his reaction shows courage and a readiness to face whatever comes next eNotes.com+1.
- Susan feels as if some delicious smell or delightful strain of music had just floated by her — a sense of beauty, delight, and something pleasant and uplifting eNotes.com+1.
- Lucy gets the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of summer — a sense of warmth, hope, and the joy of a new, better time eNotes.com+1.
These reactions show that Aslan’s name carries deep symbolic weight — it can inspire fear, courage, beauty, and hope — even before the children understand his identity or role. Lewis uses these contrasting responses to hint at the complex nature of Aslan: a powerful, good king whose presence can stir both awe and apprehension in those who hear his name.
How do you feel when you hear the name of Jesus?
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