May-24-2011, 08:55 AM (UTC)
(This post was last modified: May-24-2011, 08:55 AM (UTC) by redchild.)
I suppose as a kid I did notice the Christian themes throughout the series, but they never really distracted me from the story. But I did notice the racist/orientalist undertones and persistent "othering" of the religion of Tash/Islam. It's why I liked the Horse and his Boy so much as we finally get a closer look at Calormen, even though nearly every Calormenian(?) character has their faults put out on display while the Narnians and Archenlanders are faultless and superior. Still, it was a product of its time and I wouldn't want it changed in any way for political correctness.
I liked the Last Battle....until I got to the end. It's quite strange and I think was rather forced.
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is like the anti-Narnia. I read it much later (towards the end of high school) than I did when I first read Narnia, so I picked up on the anti-institutional-religion vibes much better than I did in Narnia's pro-Christian themes. I remember there was such a stink when the Hollywood film was being released. It's probably one of the reasons why it doesn't have a sequel. The controversy of the first film may have brought in a large audience out of novelty but doing it again will probably just drive them away.
I liked the Last Battle....until I got to the end. It's quite strange and I think was rather forced.
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is like the anti-Narnia. I read it much later (towards the end of high school) than I did when I first read Narnia, so I picked up on the anti-institutional-religion vibes much better than I did in Narnia's pro-Christian themes. I remember there was such a stink when the Hollywood film was being released. It's probably one of the reasons why it doesn't have a sequel. The controversy of the first film may have brought in a large audience out of novelty but doing it again will probably just drive them away.