Further Up And Further In: A Podcast

Evoking the notion of sehnsucht, or the inconsolable longing for beauty and joy in the human heart, the children's discovery of Cair Paravel in ruins begins the process of awakening within them a remembrance of who they really are: kings and queens of Narnia. This sense of nostalgia and desire, propelled by Lewisian images of ancient wonder, reminds us of our own inconsolable longings for Eden, a magical world that, unfortunately, we have lost as well.

In the opening chapter of Prince Caspian, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy stand on the precipice of a great and glorious journey. Though they believe this journey to be just a simple train ride to boarding school, a strange and mysterious summons draws them back into Narnia where they must restore what has been broken and repair the ruins of Old Narnia before its beauty is lost forever.

In the final chapter of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the great battle against the forces of darkness is finally won, and the Pevensie children at last assume the four thrones at Cair Paravel that have awaited them. The prophecy is fulfilled, and all is well again in Narnia. Yet, as King Peter, Queen Susan, King Edmund, and Queen Lucy rule justly and nobly over the restored land, they discover the White Stag has appeared, a magical creature with the power to grant wished to the one who catches it.

Having resurrected from the dead, Aslan carries Susan and Lucy to the White Witch's empty castle to liberate the many stone statues littered throughout her courtyard. With his Narnian army assembled, Aslan leads the way to the Fords of Beruna to complete the victory by ending the White Witch for good.

Concluding the trilogy of gospel chapters (with chs. 13 and 14 serving as parts I and II, respectively), Aslan's resurrection, cracking the Stone Table and declaring ultimate victory over evil and death, ignites a new wonder and joy in Susan and Lucy, leading to a magnificent romp throughout Narnia in preparation for the great Battle of Beruna.

In his agreement with the White Witch, Aslan walks the via dolorosa to the Stone Table to lay down his life in exchange for the life of Edmund. As Susan and Lucy accompany Aslan on his agonizing journey, culminating in the humiliating and crushing death of Aslan, the reader discovers that the triumph mentioned in the chapter's title may not belong to the White Witch after all...

After an exciting rescue mission to save Edmund from the grip of the White Witch, Edmund finally encounters Aslan face-to-face. In a beautiful picture of repentance and forgiveness, Aslan restores Edmund to his place among his brother and sisters. The story, however, is not over yet as the White Witch comes to claim Edmund's blood in punishment for his treason. Citing the Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time, the White Witch confronts Aslan, demanding Edmund be slaughtered on the Stone Table.

At last, Peter, Susan, and Lucy arrive with the Beavers to the Stone Table where Aslan, in all of his regal majesty, appears for the first time in the story. Yet, for all of the joy and overwhelming awe the children experience in meeting him, the twin visions of the Stone Table and Cair Paravel remind them (and the reader) of the great challenges to come: that the path to redemption and rule comes at a very great cost.

As Aslan's arrival draws nearer, the Witch is desperate to maintain her ruthless domination of Narnia, even going so far as to punish the animals she discovers rejoicing at a merry party. Yet, even in the midst of her cold tyranny, no power can withstand the awakening to come as the winter dissolves into glorious spring. 

In language eerily similar to Wilfred Owen's and Ernest Hemingway's descriptions of WWI -- a horrific experience Lewis knew all too well -- the narrative follows the children's arduous trek as they flee the dam and the White Witch's impending arrival. Yet, huddled close in their small cave, the children and the beavers suddenly discover they are not alone as they are met by perhaps the most unlikely of characters.

Still poisoned by the eternal craving for Turkish Delight, Edmund sneaks away from the Beavers' home to execute his plan to betray his siblings to the cruel White Witch. On his long and arduous trek to her castle, however, Edmund discovers the silence, the loneliness, and the despair that lie at the heart of evil itself.

After a hearty meal, the children learn from Mr. Beaver of the ancient prophecy, foretelling the end of the cursed winter and the enthronement of "Adam's flesh and Adam's bone" at Cair Paravel. This victory will come via the great lion, Aslan, the King of Narnia, who is not safe, but is most certainly good. However, trouble arises as the children discover their treacherous brother, Edmund, has fled to betray them to the evil White Witch.

Pausing midway in the novel, we are joined by special guest, Fred Gilkeson, for a conversation on bravery, revelry, and the beauty of holiness. 

Like Dante at the beginning of his great journey, the children find themselves lost "within a forest dark," and in desperate need, also like Dante, of a guide. In comes Mr. Beaver, who leads the children back to his dam for a hearty dinner and a warm welcome. However, it is at the Beaver's announcement that "Aslan is on the move" that each of the children experience the numinous power of the holy, perhaps for the very first time. 

Grab your coats! Having stumbled into the wardrobe together, all four Pevensie children must now brave the formidable Narnian winter only to discover there is great danger ahead. Narnia is not safe. With the discovery of Tumnus' ransacked home, the fear of losing their way, and the underlying treachery hidden in the heart of their brother, Edmund, the children must decide whether or not they can summon the courage to tread "further up and further in" toward their grand destines, dangerous though they may be.

Back on this side of the wardrobe, Lucy has difficulty finding anyone who will believe her claims about Narnia; not even Edmund, who visited with her, is willing to defend it. Yet, with some bracing logic from the Professor and a mysterious series of circumstances leading to the spare room, all four children are "chased...into Narnia", poised for one of the greatest adventures of all time.

The shifting of Edmund's allegiance toward the White Witch takes full effect as he succumbs to the power of her enchanted Turkish Delight, the "sweet poison of the false infinite" that ensnares Edmund down to his very heart.

Having returned from Narnia, Lucy tries to convince her siblings of its reality, but none of them believe her...that is, until Edmund, her spiteful older brother, stumbles into Narnia and encounters the terrifyingly seductive White Witch for himself.

In chapter two, we watch Lucy's encounter with Tumnus the faun unfold as he invites her back to his home for tea. In this episode, we address the issues of humanity and identity, culminating in our first glimpse of Christian revelry as a contrast to the sterile evil of the White Witch.

"Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy." So begins chapter one of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the grand beginning to the Narnia tales.