Reepicheep and Elijah

I’ve often wondered whether the characters in the Chronicles are modeled after biblical personalities. Of course, they might be modeled after Christian New Testament characters of whom I know little about. So, reformulating, are Narnian characters modeled after any biblical characters found in the Jewish bible. Can we identify King Caspian the 10th with King David, who started the Judean dynasty? Or maybe with King Josiah, who found a book of the law after apparent loss of the essence of Judaism for so many years?

Usually I find the answer to be no. There are too many fundamental differences to really compare Peter, or even a repentant like Eustace, to anyone specific. Perhaps with one exception: Reepicheep. To me Lewis based Reepicheep after none other than Elijah the Prophet, both in terms or his role in Narnia proper, and his role in death and the afterlife. For now let’s start with the latter.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader tells how Reepicheep achieves his ultimate, destined goal: to reach the Utter East. He does this by sailing in the Dawn Treader as far east as she can go. When she can go no further he goes into the boat with Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace. When that too runs aground, he sails in his coracle high over a standing wave separating the Narnian world and Aslan’s country, with only his three final companions watching, From that point on, no one again sees Reepicheep.

Let’s compare this to the death of Elijah (Kings 2 2). Elijah, accompanied by his faithful student Elisha, starts his journey in Gilgal (likely near Nablus) and travels down to Bethel. From there he travels east to Jericho, and then further east to the Jordan river. At each stop apprentice prophets alert Elisha that his master will be taken away from him. Elisha acknowledges this and continues to accompany Elijah. At the Jordan the apprentice prophets stand afar while Elijah splits the Jordan allowing himself and Elisha to pass through. On the eastern bank of the Jordan they continue to walk until reaching a chariot and horses of fire. Elijah enters the chariot and goes up to the heavens in a great storm.

Note the parallels: (1) Elijah (who retraces the steps of Joshua’s conquest of what was then the land of Canaan) and Reepicheep continuously travel east. (2) While there are those who accompany Elijah and Elisha, they run aground at the Jordan River leaving on Elisha to see Elijah’s ascension to heaven. (3) Elijah and Reepicheep both travel upwards in a vehicle traversing the separation between the human inhabited world and some sort of Godly abode. (4) Neither Reepicheep nor Elijah (at least not in the bible) are seen again though it is never stated that either of them die.

The next time we do see Reepicheep is in the “Last Battle” after the end of time. For it is Reepicheep who welcomes those who have recently died into the walled garden. So to Elijah is the one who will announce the coming of the Messiah who will transform the world into one of peace and prosperity for all of its inhabitants.

Why does Lewis parallel Reepicheep’s death and ‘life after death’ on the prophet Elijah? No doubt because of their respective actions and roles during their lifetimes. We’ll explore that more closely in our next post.

Valiance: Who is the Intended Audience for the Chronicles?

Our discussion of valiance had led me to think (again) about Lewis' decision to write a series of stories for children. In a previous post I implied that Lewis did this to convey basic religious truths, themes, and principles to children. I further suggested that a Jewish Narnia should follow this path. 

Maybe that's not correct. Perhaps Lewis' goal was not to write a book for children, but a book for adults about children. 

Lewis comments on this directly in his dedication of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Writing to his god-daughter Lucy Barfield, he notes that girls grow more quickly than books, and that, by the time the book is in print, she will be too old for fairy tales. Nevertheless, he predicts, "some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it." 

Why do adults read fairy tales? And, more to the point, why would they read fairy tales about pre-teen children?    

In an effort to become, or remain, valiant. 

Children naturally display the necessary traits we have used to define valiance: enthusiasm, idealism, curiosity, trust, belief in a better future. Everything that adults have beaten out of themselves due to "real-life" prudence and planning. Why would an adult turn to a fairy tale if not to rekindle some of that spirit? Why would an adult read children's literature if not to revive in themselves idealism and hope for a brighter future?

Prof. Ward has eminently demonstrated that the theological messages of the Chronicles are already found in the Space Trilogy. Still one thing appears to me to be lacking (though I admit I need to think about this more): valiance.

Ransom is a fine character who overcomes spiritual and physical challenges to learn the truth about the universe. He is able to teach others and eventually saves the country/world from terrible evil. Is Ransom valiant? He shows persistence, perhaps even idealism and some bravery. But would he ever be confused with Reepicheep?

Does Ransom inspire in readers a renewal of spirit or simply an education of faith?

I think the answer is the latter, and that's why the Chronicles are necessary. 

Valiance: Lucy and Reepicheep

Over the last few posts we have analyzed what makes Lucy valiant. Two themes, likely coupled themes, emerged. The first is Lucy’s ability to retain the positive aspects of childhood: all-encompassing faith, fiery enthusiasm, and tireless curiosity, even as a mature adult. The second is gaiety as reflected in her positive outlook and enthusiasm for the future.

Yet, in our last post, we saw that gaiety on its own does not encompass valiance. In fact, Lewis contrasts gaiety with that which is “clear, sharp, and valiant.” Thus, while valiance does appear to incorporate many aspects of gaiety it also reflects a sense of clarity and perhaps even urgency

With this in hand we can now turn back to Reepicheep, the most valiant of all the beasts in Narnia. We have already noted Reepicheep’s complete lack of fear and we can perhaps now suggest where it comes from. Lack of fear is not a function of bravery, or even of strength. As R’ Soloveitchik said, “Only the child with his simple faith and fiery enthusiasm can make the miraculous leap into the bosom of God…” And once in the bosom of God, what is there to fear?

Furthermore, Reepicheep’s all encompassing faith enables his complete identification with God. A sign of cowardice, such as not sailing to the Dark Island, or betrayal, such as not searching for Eustace, would suggest that these characteristics reflect God. Reepicheep is assured of protection because God is the Great Protector. He will single-handedly take on a dragon or a sea serpent for nothing is too powerful for God. He is assured of success for even in a lost battle he adheres to the will of God.

Some final thoughts on this next time.