The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is a fictional children’s book that addressed socio-political aspects of war and over coming oppression through allusions to Christian spirituality and historical events. The conveys its messages by exploring the multiplicity of worlds. Lewis connects the fictional world of Narnia to England during World War II. In doing so, he allows the reader to connect to difficult themes on an emotional and spiritual level. In this paper, I shall discuss how the political climate of 1940’s London is reflected in the oppression of Narnia by the White Witch. Next, I will explain and use Hannah Arendt’s theory on the “banality of evil” to interpret some of the fictional and historical connections Lewis makes
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The theory of the “banality of evil” posits that the face of evil appears to rather human and ordinary. Evil takes root in the actions of people following orders, wilfully making poor decisions, and abusing power that is bestowed upon them (Popova). For Arendt, evil is legitimized through the normalization of actions that would normally be seen as morally reprehensible or unjust. People will readily follow figures of authority through a sense of unity or out of fear. Creating in groups with a strict moral code also create out groups whom are devalued and dehumanized as the “other” (Wang). To adhere to the ingroups moral codes and values, who tends to be a majority, members must actively subject the other to harmful, discriminatory, and violence treatment under the guise of the protection of the social order …show more content…
Tumnus. There is expectation that all Narnians are to report to the secret police and Jadis if they ever encounter any humans in Narnia or face the consequences of being turned to stone or even death. When Mr. Tumnus meets Lucy for the first time and lures her back to his home for a seemingly innocent spot of tea, when in actuality he has informed the secret police of Lucy’s presence. He readily adheres to the power of higher authorities out of fear. Tumnus tries to rectify his actions by allowing Lucy to escape back through the closet but the damage is already done. Jadis is now aware of the “daughter of Eve” in Narnia, and now seeks further action by imprisoning Mr. Tumnus and laying a trap for when Lucy
The theory of the “banality of evil” posits that the face of evil appears to rather human and ordinary. Evil takes root in the actions of people following orders, wilfully making poor decisions, and abusing power that is bestowed upon them (Popova). For Arendt, evil is legitimized through the normalization of actions that would normally be seen as morally reprehensible or unjust. People will readily follow figures of authority through a sense of unity or out of fear. Creating in groups with a strict moral code also create out groups whom are devalued and dehumanized as the “other” (Wang). To adhere to the ingroups moral codes and values, who tends to be a majority, members must actively subject the other to harmful, discriminatory, and violence treatment under the guise of the protection of the social order …show more content…
Tumnus. There is expectation that all Narnians are to report to the secret police and Jadis if they ever encounter any humans in Narnia or face the consequences of being turned to stone or even death. When Mr. Tumnus meets Lucy for the first time and lures her back to his home for a seemingly innocent spot of tea, when in actuality he has informed the secret police of Lucy’s presence. He readily adheres to the power of higher authorities out of fear. Tumnus tries to rectify his actions by allowing Lucy to escape back through the closet but the damage is already done. Jadis is now aware of the “daughter of Eve” in Narnia, and now seeks further action by imprisoning Mr. Tumnus and laying a trap for when Lucy