C. S. Lewis: From Lamb To Lion

From Lamb to Lion

A chrysalis into a butterfly, water into wine, a lamb into a lion. These are all examples of transformation. A tool that not only C.S. Lewis used but even biblical authors did as well in their own writings. The importance of transformation is very prevalent in a Christian’s life because it not only shows a change in a form or a figure but the meaning behind the transformation is just as important. External transformation is a powerful visual device that can really emphasize the internal change that has happened in the heart of the character in narratives. Now transformation of some sorts happens in every Christian’s life. Many Christian’s believe that they come to Christ they have been reborn or revived, and in a sense that is exactly what transformation is. In Ezekiel 36:26 it says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” That powerful image Ezekiel writes is exactly the imagery that C.S. Lewis conveys in his own writings with most notably the transformation from
Lewis uses very blatant Christian symbols in his Chronicles of Narnia where Aslan turns himself into numerous symbols. One of the most notable symbols is when the lamb, which then turns into Aslan, is feeding Edward, Lucy, and Eustace. The significance of the lamb to the Christian is undeniably in scripture. In the Great Divorce the lizard which is an obviously symbol of the Devil, Lewis here isn’t trying to hide this symbol and the change from this ugly lizard to this majestic flawless stallion is a clear symbol of Death changing to life through Christ, especially with the Stallion being so close to Heaven and an angel killing the lizard in the first place. Lewis uses this example purely as a form of external transformation to show the power of Christ but to also strike the emotion in the Narrator when he sees that scene, in which produce emotions in the