Religious Overtones
An adult convert to Christianity, Lewis had previously authored a number of works on Christian apologetics and other fiction with Christian themes. The character Aslan is seen by many as a fictionalised version of Christ. Lewis did not initially plan to incorporate Christian theological concepts into his Narnia stories. Lewis maintained that the Narnia books were not allegorical, preferring to term their Christian aspects a "supposition".
The Chronicles have a large Christian following, and are widely used to promote Christian ideas. However, some Christians and Christian organisations have criticised Lewis, feeling that The Chronicles promote "soft-sell paganism and occultism" due to the recurring pagan imagery and themes. Fantasy author J.K. Rowling, herself a member of the Church of Scotland, has been critical of Narnia on ethical grounds. Reactions from non-Christian authors have been mixed as well. The Chronicles have been severely criticised by Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials (a series generally antagonistic toward religion), but praised by Laura Miller.
Read more about this topic: The Chronicles Of Narnia
Famous quotes containing the words religious and/or overtones:
“Adjoining a refreshment stand ... is a small frame ice house ... with a whitewashed advertisement on its brown front stating, simply, “Ice. Glory to Jesus.” The proprietor of the establishment is a religious man who has seized the opportunity to broadcast his business and his faith at the same time.”
—For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Uses are always much broader than functions, and usually far less contentious. The word function carries overtones of purpose and propriety, of concern with why something was developed rather than with how it has actually been found useful. The function of automobiles is to transport people and objects, but they are used for a variety of other purposes—as homes, offices, bedrooms, henhouses, jetties, breakwaters, even offensive weapons.”
—Frank Smith (b. 1928)