Further Up and Further In: A Podcast

As Lewis provides exposition through the character of King Caspian, the stark contrast between the medieval and the modern worldview begins to emerge on board the Dawn Treader, particularly in the opposition between Reepicheep and Eustace.

In this opening episode on Lewis's rollicking, high-seas adventure story, we are introduced to one of the most memorable characters in the Narniad: Eustace Clarence Scrubb. Though he, in some ways, resembles the banality of evil in the White Witch and Miraz, he ultimately becomes a hopeful representation of Lewis's view of grace and redemption.

In this final chapter of Prince Caspian, Aslan shows grace to Caspian (in his kingship), Reepicheep (in his restored tail), the Narnians (in the feast), and the Telmarines (in their transportation to a new home). All the while, wrong has been made right, and Aslan sends the Pevensies back home with a restored vision for the beauty of Aslan's rule and reign.

In this penultimate chapter, Miraz is defeated by his own treasonous lords, and the Telmarine army is vanquished by the Narnians (not to mention the awakened Trees!). What's more, Aslan leads the procession of celebration through the towns, calling all who will to join in the merry company and revel in the victory.

Exercising his true authority as High King of Narnia, Peter offers Miraz a proposal of monomachy, single combat to determine the victor of the war. Yet, as Edmund delivers the offer, Miraz's men, Lords Glozelle and Sopespian, discuss their own plans to undermine Miraz's position and establish themselves in power.

As Trumpkin, Peter, and Edmund approach Aslan's How, they overhear a council-of-war between King Caspian, Trufflehunter, Doctor Cornelius, and Nikabrik. As all hope of victory seems lost, Nikabrik offers an alternative plan, one couched in a sweeping array of philosophical claims and rhetorical strategies that threaten to overturn Caspian's authority.

Is seeing believing? Or is believing seeing? As Lucy follows Aslan toward the Stone Table, the others must decide whether or not they can bear to follow someone they cannot see for themselves. Yet, as they walk by faith, not by sight, the glimpses of Aslan begin to bring repentance, grace, and sanctifying growth, preparing the Pevensies and Trumpkin ultimately for the path toward Caspian and the war against evil.

Having discovered that their quest down the gorge, taken contrary to Aslan's will, ends in failure, the children and Trumpkin double back to start again. Yet, as Lucy is summoned by the divine call of Aslan to instruct her siblings to obey his instructions, it remains to be seen whether or not Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Trumpkin have the faith necessary to follow a leading that they cannot physically see.

As the children and Trumpkin fall asleep exhausted from their journey, Lucy is beckoned awake and away from the camp to encounter the transcendent holiness of Narnia. This first of two visions, in which she remembers the deep magic of Narnia, ultimately prepares her for the greater vision of Aslan and her firm conviction in the face of her siblings' opposition.

As Trumpkin concludes Caspian's backstory, he confesses his expectation for the help of Susan's horn to be mighty Narnian kings and queens of old, not four children. Yet, through a series of lighthearted contests, Trumpkin will learn the true importance of an authority that is not merely acknowledged but trusted and obeyed.

As Caspian and company journey to Aslan's How, the sacred place of the ancient Stone Table, they encounter Miraz's armies and must decide, once and for all, if they should wind Susan's Horn to summon the help that, according to legend, is prophesied to come. Despite some disbelief in the ranks, Caspian chooses to sound the Horn and send messengers to the two other Ancient Places of Narnia: Lantern Waste and Cair Paravel.

As Caspian travels to meet the Old Narnians (including Pattertwig, Glenstorm, and the indomitable Reepicheep), he discovers the real meaning of the portents observed in the heavens: he is being prepared for war. Gathered together at the Dancing Lawn for a council, the Narnians pledge their allegiance to Prince Caspian, and the Fauns lead a dance to celebrate his arrival.

With the birth of King Miraz's son, Prince Caspian now poses a threat to his uncle's dynasty and must flee the castle for his life. Yet, when he is caught by a storm in the woods, Caspian finds himself in the company of what he and Dr. Cornelius had always wondered, and hoped, to find -- the Talking Beasts of Old Narnia.

This episode concludes the intermission from Prince Caspian to discuss education and the Christian faith.

Trumpkin's story begins as he tells of Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to the throne of Narnia who secretly harbors "a love for the Old Things." Yet, when King Miraz, his usurping uncle, discovers Caspian's affinity for the stories of Old Narnia, he sends Doctor Cornelius to be his nephew's new tutor. Little does he know that Doctor Cornelius carries a secret of his own and will play a significant role in leading Caspian toward a recognition of who he is and the real truth about Narnia.

As the children awaken in the ruins of Cair Paravel, they begin to discover just how long it has been since they reigned as kings and queens in the  Golden Age of Narnia. However, when they suddenly encounter two soldiers attempting to drown a dwarf, the plight of Old Narnia and the call for the ancient kings to return and heal the land draw them further into danger.

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.

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.

This first episode introduces the format and purpose of the podcast, including a tribute to Lewis's influence and the beauty of the Narnia stories.