ext_75079 ([identity profile] mary-j-59.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] mary_j_59 2009-05-15 03:46 pm (UTC)

Good points!

Thanks for the comment, and glad you enjoyed it! But I do see why you might find the incident with Susan disturbing. In fact, I can see why readers would find all of The Last Battle disturbing; I certainly do. But, in Lewis's favor, he does not actually exclude Susan from Narnia. It's quite clear that it's her own choice to leave Narnia behind. Also, it's quite clear that, at the end ot TLB, Susan is the only one of the siblings still left alive. So there is still hope for her. There's hope for everyone. In the Potter books, in contrast, every single Slytherin and every single Muggle is condemned. (Yes, I think Snape is condemned. That's a major reason why I absolutely hated Deathly Hallows)

As to the heavy-handed Christian references, I know a young woman, a nonbeliever, who loved the books and never picked up on that at all. I know Jewish children who love the books. So, again, I do see what you mean, but Lewis's allegory doesn't disturb everyone.

Anyway, my main point - I do think Eustace is a nicer and better boy than Harry. Edmund is a lot nicer and better!

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