Narnia through different eyes

I just came home from seeing "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" and there are so many thoughts and feelings rolling around that I can't sleep yet. It was rather odd to have this story up on a screen in front of me. I first read the book probably 25 years ago and have read it (and the others in the series) innumerable times since then. I love those stories and could listen to stories of Narnia forever.

So what did I find so strange? Three things in general:

• Seeing what had previously only been in my imagination in vivid color and sound
• Experiencing the story for the first time knowing its Christian-based mythology
• Critically examining the cultural norms and ideology that are reinforced within the story

There are many wonderful things about this movie and I'm glad it was made. Two details in particular that I found distressing are that the "Big Bad" is a woman and that war is (ultimately) not only sanitized and glorified but completely justified. With regard to the war, the story itself simplifies conflict - turns it into a clear-cut, dualistic "right and wrong."

"But why is that a bad thing?" Because conflict, especially violent conflicts, are NEVER that simple. It's never a case of "here are some demons that deserve to be killed." NEVER. The truth is usually complicated and violence is always messy. There's never someone around with a magic potion to cure the most grievous wounds, or a magic being who can breath life back into those who are thought lost.

I know it's just a story, only a movie, but where do you think we learn our values from? Where do you think people get many of their cultural norms and beliefs? Through consuming media and media includes movies. It's not the only place we learn but it's certainly a major place and it's definitely where what we learn is often heavily reinforced.

More tomorrow.