Why Doesn't Susan Keep the Horn?

This is probably repetitive but nevertheless let's take a look at the question of Susan's horn from another perspective. 

Why does Susan not take back the horn when offered by Caspian? An easy answer would be that it doesn't work outside of Narnia. There seems to be some wisdom in that given that The White Witch's magic doesn't work in our world either (though it does work in Narnia - begging the question why magic seems to work in other worlds but not ours).   

But perhaps the real reason is that Susan realizes she doesn't need it. The horn brought Susan and her siblings to Narnia. They were the help that Aslan sent to the war-torn, beleaguered Narnians at their moment of desperation. If Susan were to blow the horn in our world - wouldn't it just call Susan? Obviously, that would be worthless. But it also suggests that Susan should be able to solve her own problems. She should be the one to bring her own salvation.

Now that's quite a statement - one should always pray to God and plead with Him for salvation. And God gets to choose His method of helping us. I trust everyone knows the joke of the person standing on a rooftop with rising floodwaters and refusing the assistance of a boat and helicopter because he's sure that God will save him. OK, so we need a balance - on the one hand we have to take responsibility for ourselves, on the other we cannot insist that "My power and the strength of my hand" (Deuteronomy 8:17) will bring about salvation. 

So, what should Susan do? The horn symbolizes God's help, but God's help is her. Keeping it may cause her to haughty and think that she is the source of salvation. So, she gives it away - enabling her to concentrate of God's salvation, but still with the realization that she can be God's messenger is bringing help to others. 

We know what happened to Susan. She is overcome with the vanity of the world and gives up her status in Narnia. But perhaps this is part of her salvation and that of others. Peter, Edmund, Lucy and the rest, never tell their story to anyone. No one is inspired by them, no one seeks to follow their path. One day the horn will blow calling Susan to return to God, to once again be His messenger. She will hear the call, and she will come - but when she does, she will bring crowds with her. 

All sorts of people will hear her story of youthful passion in God, the teenage cooling off as she substituted the spiritual for a physical focus, and finally enlightenment that only God is worth the time and effort.  They will resonate with HER story in a way they never could with the story of Lucy and Peter. 

Once and Queen of Narnia always a Queen of Narnia. Queen Susan of the Horn will always be the source of 'magical' help and salvation for others. 

The Bow and the Horn

The verse states: “Moreover I (Jacob) have given to you (Joseph) one portion above your brothers, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow” (Genesis 48:22) ... What is the meaning of “with my sword”? This refers to prayer. What is the meaning of “with my bow”? This is referring to requests. (Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 123a)

Jacob assures Joseph that he will be given as an extra inheritance land that Jacob conquered with instruments of war. The Talmud, however, reinterprets these words from weapons to prayer. Presumably, Jacob used both. Similarly, when preparing for a confrontation with his brother Esau, Jacob prepares for war, by dividing his camp into two, and prays to God. The lesson is obvious. Humans must do whatever they can to prepare for and fight incoming danger. However, they must also realize that all is in God's hands and turn to Him in prayer. 

Two of the Pevensie children receive opposing gifts from Father Christmas - but they oppose in different contexts. Peter receives a sword and shield. The sword is an offensive weapon while the shield is a tool of defense. They are opposites in the context of war. Lucy receives a dagger and a healing cordial. The dagger is to cause harm while the cordial is to remove harm. Again, the gifts are opposite but now in the greater context of human welfare. 

Then there is Susan. She receives a bow (and arrows) and a horn. The bow is to actively fight, as is Peter's sword and Lucy's dagger. What is the purpose of the horn? Well, a priori a horn could be used to arouse the troops to war. But that's explicitly not the purpose of Susan's horn. Father Christmas says, that blowing the horn will bring assistance. But presumably it is not just some regular help one would receive from a typical call. No, it must be divine help. In other words, Susan's horn is an instrument of prayer. And, like the other two, her gifts are opposites, but now the context is how to contend with the physical world. Does one work, try, and persevere, or lay back and let God take care of it? 

Susan's horn also reminds us of the ram's horn (shofar) blown every Jewish New Year (Rosh HaShana). The function of the shofar is multifaceted. Rambam states that the shofar arouses people, not to war, but to repentance. But the shofar may also function as prayer - a prayer with no words, a prayer in which we ask God to fill in what we need, because we do not actually no. 

And perhaps that is the function of Susan's horn - a vehicle of prayer without words. Therefore, Father Christmas cannot know what type of help will be received. No one can know - not even the petitioner (the one who blows the horn) can know because that is exactly the point. God Himself will fill in the blanks and send the assistance He knows is appropriate. 

This may also explain why the horn should not be blown without forethought. Of course, prayer can and should be recited every day, not only in our darkest hour. But that doesn't mean the shofar should be blown every day. Both are powerful tools but retain their power over us due to their uniqueness. 

As we have seen, the context of Susan's gifts is more global, perhaps even more theologically fundamental then the other gifts. Presumably this was not arbitrarily done, for it is Susan who grapples most with the natural versus the spiritual. 

I think we need to look at Susan's fate one more time... 

What Does Susan's Horn Do?

And when you put this horn to your lips; and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you.

While I'm thinking about an approach to the question with which we ended our previous post, here's something else to consider... 

The above enigmatic words are said by Father Christmas as he gives Susan her presents. Actually, Susan received two presents. The first is a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Father Christmas warns Susan that the bow and arrow are to be used in great need. The bow does not miss easily, but Susan is not meant to fight in battle. The horn, however, does not appear to have any sort of restrictions. Apparently Susan can use it whenever she wants.

Yet, when Dr. Cornelius gives the horn to Caspian he says, "but do not use it except at your greatest need." Why would he say that? Is he worried the horn will be used up or break? 

Another question, why is Father Christmas unclear as to what will happen if the horn is blown? He seems pretty confident about all of the other gifts, why is this one different? 

To address the first question, I wonder if, over time, the words of Father Christmas were merged or telescoped. The bow was only to be used in great need, but no one had the bow. So, it was assumed that Father Christmas' words about being used only in great need were said about the horn. Though actually that is not the case. 

I think says something about the symbolic role of these two gifts. Let's think about it for a bit and I'll jot down some thoughts soon.