This is my favorite book from The Chronicals of Narnia series. And let's just begin by saying that the movie does not even come close to the book on this one. Read the book!
Like most of C.S. Lewis' books, this one is packed with symbolism. I had a hard time at first picking out some of those themes, but our class discussion really helped me out.
Here are Some Interesting Symbols:
Ramandu's table- like the sacrament. It can never be exhausted.
Albatross- an image of Christ, comes from a space of light after Lucy prays for help.
The cup, swords, etc are like the Holy Grail. They are numinous.
The Place Where Dreams Come True- teaching us that we don't necessarily know what we want, suggesting that we pay attention to God's will
Goldwater- Greed, it brings down great people like Caspian and Edmund
Octesian's ring- Godly sorry and true remorse.
The 3 Sleeping Lords Using the Stone Knife- Could suggest that you cannot use holy things as a weapon against people. The stone knife killed Aslan, the same way the cross killed Christ. It could be suggesting that we should not fight over the cross, referring to conflict among Christian denominations.
The End- light, Heaven, goodness. Drinking the water was like the good infection referenced in Mere Christianity. Lewis argued that the point of Christianity was that it was supposed to change us. It could also be about transfiguration.
A Whiff of Aslan's country- "it could break your heart," according to Lucy, but it was not sad. This is the joy that Lewis references in Surprised by Joy
The Dawn Treader- could be a reference to the course of a Christian life and the difficulties along the way
Predominant Themes in this Book:
Ability to Change- Eustace best represents this. At the beginning he is a total brat and comes out as a hero and believer in Aslan by the end. He shows the process of repentance and the necessary change of heart.
Vanity- Lucy, feeling like she was not being as pretty as Susan, gets into trouble and has to be reminded by Aslan that these things don’t matter. Her Individual worth is not contingent upon looks. Aslan reminds her of this and tells her to stop doubting it.
The Nature of Death- by the end of the story, Reepicheep decides to travel into Aslan’s country. It is death, but the way it is represented here it an adventure filled, exciting moment. I’ve noticed Lewis portray death in this optimistic way in many of this other words as well—such as The Screwtape Letters.
Danger of Greed- The pool that turns everything to gold best represents this. Eustace is sucked into it, along with Caspian and other characters in the story, making it so Aslan is not able to access them. It is corruptive, and the deathly nature of the pool suggests that it is dangerous.
What it Means to Grow up- Lucy and Edmund were told that they could no longer go back to Narnia since they were getting too old. Yet, Aslan reassured them that they would know him by name in their other world. Knowing Aslan better in Narnia meant knowing him better in their normal lives. Aslan is telling them that it is time to put these lessons and apply them to their adult experiences.
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