When Aslan, the Great Lion over Narnia, is first introduced in C.S. Lewis’ "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," he is automatically perceived as powerful. The mention of his name was enough to strike emotion in the four Pevensie children, Edmund, Lucy, Peter and Susan. Throughout the story, Aslan is one of the few characters whose identity remains consistent. In "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," In the grand scheme of things, Aslan is a representation of Christ and proves to be the hero in the adventure.
Aslan can be compared to the qualities of fire. He is seen as warm, and quite ferocious. In chapter fifteen, Susan and Lucy discovered that Aslan was miraculously alive from being sacrificed on the Stone Table. Susan, confused at the discovery, has an encounter with Aslan. Lewis writes, “Aslan stooped his golden head and licked her forehead. The warmth of his breath and a rich sort of smell that seemed to hang about his hair came all over her.” (LWW 178) In this quote, “warmth” is being used as a reference of assurance and comfort for Susan and Lucy to know that Aslan is alive. In chapter sixteen, Aslan goes to the White Witch’s courtyard to bring back to life the animals who had been turned into stone by the White Witch.
In regards to this, Lewis writes, “For a second after Aslan had breathed upon him the stone lion looked just the same. Then a tiny streak of gold began to run along his white marble back--then it spread--then the color seemed to lick all over him as the flame licks all over a bit of paper--then, while his hindquarters were still obviously stone, the lion shook his man and all the heavy, stone folds rippled into living hair. And now his hind legs had come to life.”(LWW 184) Here in this quote, Aslan’s breath causes tiny streaks of gold (like a fluttering low flame) to engulf the lion’s statue (like a blazing flame that swallows up whatever is in its path), which brings the stone lion back to life. In the ultimate reality, it is as if Aslan’s characteristic of warmth references the book of Genesis. In Genesis chapter two, God breathed life into the nostrils of Adam in such a gentle manner. It is as if C.S. Lewis is replicating this in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Just as Christ was creating and assuring a new creation, Aslan is given similar power.
Aslan is also symbolic of fire in the way that he is depicted as ferocious. In chapter thirteen, the White Witch comes to talk to Aslan regarding the life of Edmund. The White Witch reminded Aslan about the Deep Magic that was rooted in Narnia by an Emperor long ago. The Deep Magic acknowledged that any traitor in Narnia belonged to the White Witch by default. Aslan goes on a walk with the White Witch and discusses arrangements about Edmund. Lewis writes, “[Aslan roared], half rising from his throne; and his great mouth open wider and wider and the roar grew louder and louder, and the Witch, after staring for a moment with her lips wide apart, picked up her skirts and fairly ran for her life.”(LWW 158) Aslan’s roar is powerful like a wild fire and strikes fear into the White Witch. This sends her nearly running for her life.
Again, in chapter fifteen, C.S. Lewis presents a scene that describes how Aslan has been brought back to life, now stronger than ever. Readers witness his new power of roaring. In regards to this, Lewis wrote, "'And now,' said Aslan presently, 'to business. I feel I am going to roar. You had better put your fingers in your ears.' And Aslan stood up and when he opened his mouth to roar his face became so terrible that they did not dare to look at it. And when they saw all the tree in front of him bend before the blast of his roaring as grass bends in a meadow before the wind.”(LWW 180) When Aslan roars, his face becomes frightening like a small fire that grows out of control into a blazing fireball. His roar literally alters the forest by making the trees bend all out of proportion like how a big fire can literally turn a building into ashes within an hour. It is as if Aslan’s characteristic of ferociousness references the book of Matthew. More specifically Matthew 27:50-51, when Jesus Christ cried out from the cross to God, and as he was speaking the curtain of the temple in Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom. The earth also began to shake violently, like an earthquake. Just as the sound of Christ's voice was able to create chaos, C. S. Lewis allows Aslan to have the same power in his roar.
C.S. Lewis uses symbolism throughout The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to hint at a greater reality. The symbol of fire is used to represent Aslan, who is warm and quite ferocious. Whenever characters encounter Aslan, they are renewed, confronted or called toward correction. This is what we experience with Jesus Christ.
