The Magician’s Nephew: Chapter 9 “The Founding of Narnia”
C.S. Lewis Read-Along, Vol. 6, Issue 10
Not all fears are the same. Some are appropriate senses of awe when we are in the presence of something or someone far beyond us. Other fears hinder us from becoming what we should be. Uncle Andrew had the chance to encounter the first, but the second kept him in a place of exploitation instead of experience.
Chapter 9 “The Founding of Narnia”
Aslan has begun a new song.1 The “softer and more lilting” song called up the grass and vegetation on the planet.
Lewis betrays his Irishness in using “lilting” to describe Aslan’s song that calls up the lush green grass that runs up hills like a wave. I wouldn’t be surprised if, as he wrote this passage, he wasn’t imagining the hills outside his boyhood home.
While Digory and Polly, like the cabby, are amazed by the Lion, his song, and what’s happening all around them, they’re annoyed because they have to constantly be on guard for Uncle Andrew trying to sneak and grab their ring.
This leads to one of the few moments of Uncle Andrew standing up for himself to Jadis. She threatens to “knock out his brains” if he gets close to Digory again because she realizes he would leave her there. Andrew retorts that she has mistreated and embarrassed him all across London, but the cabby interrupts his complaints by calling everyone’s attention to the song and creation happening around them.
The cabby serves as a Martha among the other Mary-like adults. They are constantly busy about all the other concerns when they could be listening to and observing the miraculous right in front of them. Uncle Andrew could’ve benefited from James’ advice—“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” or maybe better yet, the psalmist: “Be still and know that I am God.”2
The children begin to notice the connection between what the Lion is singing and what is created. Fir trees emerged with “a series of deep, prolonged notes,” and primroses sprang up with a “rapid series of lighter notes.” Meanwhile, the lion grew closer to the humans.
Jill was excited. The cabby and Digory couldn’t help “feeling a bit nervous.” Uncle Andrew’s knees were shaking, and his teeth were chattering. For her part, the witch steps out and throws the lamp-post bar, hitting the lion directly between his eyes. The bar fell to the ground, and Aslan continued as if he’d never been hit.
Jadis shrieked and ran into the newly grown forest. Uncle Andrew tried to follow, but tripped over a root and fell into a small brook. The other three remained while Aslan walked past them, close enough to touch, but gave no notice of them.
This is an opportunity for Andrew to experience grace. The witch has revealed her character by fleeing from Aslan’s presence. The other three stayed and were not attacked by the lion. Something kept Andrew there. He could’ve had a moment of self-reflection, but he’s focused on the wrong fears. He missed his moment with the numinous.
