The Chronicles of Narnia attract not only children, but also readers past the childhood age group. The story that takes place within the seven books possesses something that is explained by Lewis´s favourite childhood author Robert Louis Stevenson as “nameless longings”. According to him, the stories, apart from containing realities of life, should provide the reader with something that makes them want more even after the book has come to its end.
The main aim of the thesis is to give some of the nameless longings a proper name. The first part is dedicated to analysis of the Chronicles on the basis of Joseph Campbell´s approach to mythology and C.G. Jung´s analysis of archetypes to demonstrate that Lewis´s way of combining different views into one story corresponds with Campbell’s theory of Monomyth.
The second part addresses Lewis´s own view on mythology and what makes a good myth in accordance with his checklist in An Experiment in Criticism. Additionally, the second part attempts to clarify that Lewis did not draw from the world´s mythology only; the story is also based on a collection of Narnia´s own myths that are passed down throughout its history.
The third and the final part of the thesis looks at the Chronicles from the point of view of the Christian myth and the idea that religious myths in general follow a common pattern of a saviour sacrificing himself for the believers in order to save the world from the evil. Furthermore, Lewis´s own views on religion and its influence on writing the Chronicles are discussed.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART ONE
Chapter One: Pevensies and the Monomyth
Chapter Two: Archetypes: Masks that Shape the Story
PART TWO
Lewis and the Myth of His Own
PART THREE
Aslan and the Christian Myth
Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
The thesis aims to analyze C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" through the lens of Joseph Campbell's monomyth theory and C.G. Jung's archetypal analysis to demonstrate how Lewis integrated various mythological and religious elements into a cohesive narrative structure. It seeks to define the "nameless longings" experienced by readers and explore how Narnia serves as an expression of the Christian myth.
- Application of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth stages to the narrative of The Chronicles of Narnia.
- Examination of character archetypes such as the Hero, Mentor, Threshold Guardian, and Shadow.
- Investigation of Lewis’s personal philosophy on what constitutes a successful myth.
- Analysis of the allegorical connection between Aslan and the Christian figure of Jesus Christ.
- Exploration of how the Narnian myth is propagated through prophecy, intuition, and oral tradition.
Excerpt from the Book
Pevensies and the Monomyth
The fantasy genre, admired by thousands of people all around the world, has always been considered one of the dominating genres of fiction. Designed by the creative minds of countless authors, the stories are able to unleash the minds of the readers and take them on journeys to supernatural worlds inhabited by mythical beings and ruled by ancient prophecies. The adventure is often mixed with danger that makes the ordinary human lives look dull and mundane.
The genre was always a source of great debates, questions and studies. One such prominent issue is what role mythology plays in creating a fantasy world (either in a film version or in a book). Among many famous philosophers and students of mythology such as Carl Jung or Heinrich Zimmer, a scholar and mythographer named Joseph Campbell plays an important role; his famous book entitled The Hero with a Thousand Faces reveals his lifelong research on the subject that he named the “monomyth” theory.
Campbell claims, that by comparing the myths and legends of many cultures across the world, a chain of common universal structures can be traced; a set of stages that are, in his opinion, possible to find in many other works of art from fairy tales, fantasy literature, romantic comedies to horrors. “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man“ (30).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section introduces the research topic, highlighting the blend of mythology and religion in Lewis's work and defining the primary objective of analyzing the series through Campbell’s and Jung’s frameworks.
Chapter One: Pevensies and the Monomyth: This chapter analyzes the stages of the hero's journey as depicted in the Narnia novels, specifically focusing on how the Pevensie siblings embody the classic monomyth structure.
Chapter Two: Archetypes: Masks that Shape the Story: This chapter examines the specific archetypal roles, such as the Shadow, Trickster, and Mentor, played by characters in Narnia and how these masks influence the development of the plot.
Lewis and the Myth of His Own: This part investigates how Lewis constructed a unique mythology for Narnia that functions through prophecy, oral tradition, and personal intuition, aligning with his own criteria for a true myth.
Aslan and the Christian Myth: The final part explores the deep allegorical connections between Aslan and Jesus Christ, analyzing the theological themes of sin, sacrifice, and afterlife within the series.
Conclusion: The conclusion reflects on the enduring legacy of The Chronicles of Narnia and reinforces the idea that Lewis's work remains a profound exploration of human imagination and faith.
Keywords
C.S. Lewis, Narnia, Monomyth, Joseph Campbell, C.G. Jung, Archetypes, Hero’s Journey, Christian Allegory, Aslan, Mythology, Fantasy Literature, Shadow, Trickster, Prophecy, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This thesis examines the narrative structure and thematic depth of C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia" by applying Joseph Campbell's theory of the monomyth and C.G. Jung's archetypal psychology.
What are the core thematic fields analyzed?
The work focuses on fantasy literature, myth-making, archetypal characters, the structure of the hero's journey, and the integration of Christian theology within fictional narratives.
What is the central research question?
The primary aim is to categorize the "nameless longings" that characterize the Narnia series and to demonstrate how Lewis synthesized diverse mythological traditions into a cohesive narrative that reflects his personal belief system.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses a qualitative literary analysis approach, utilizing the framework of the "Hero's Journey" (Campbell/Vogler) and Jungian archetypal analysis to interpret character roles and narrative progression.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the application of monomyth stages to the Pevensie siblings, the analysis of character archetypes, the formation of Narnian mythology, and the Christological allegory of Aslan.
Which keywords define this thesis?
Key terms include C.S. Lewis, Monomyth, Archetypes, Christian Allegory, Aslan, Mythology, and Hero’s Journey.
How does the author define the "Shadow" archetype in Narnia?
The Shadow is defined both as a physical antagonist (the White Witch) and as a symbolic representation of the characters' internal struggles, fears, and dark secrets.
What is the significance of the "Deep Magic" in this analysis?
The "Deep Magic" is analyzed as an allegorical representation of divine law and the natural order, paralleling the concept of Christian salvation and the inherent nature of human existence.
- Citar trabajo
- Lenka Šerešová (Autor), 2017, The Use of Mythological Elements in "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C. S. Lewis, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/377232
