The Cultural Commission

On Marshwiggles and Worldviews Part 1

If you have not read C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia to your kids, you really should. I am currently reading the series to my sons Connor (8) and Jesse (6). We have reached book six, The Silver Chair.

Last night, our story was set in a dark castle in an underworld realm. Our three heroes, Pole, Scrubb and Puddleglum have been taken to a castle of an evil queen who is a sorceress. Fortunately for them, she is not there at the moment. She is away, but due back at any moment. However, her main protector, a smug warrior named the Black Knight is there.

While Pole and Scrubb are English children from our world, Puddleglum is a marshwiggle from Narnia. Marshwiggles are tall, skinny, frog-like creatures that inhabit the northlands of Narnia. Marshwiggles lead simple lives. They are peace loving. They basically eat fish, smoke pipes, and watch the world go by. They remind me of hobbits.

Puddleglum, Scrubb and Pole face a confusing and frightening situation. The Black Knight tells them that he is prone to fits of rage that come over him suddenly at night. He must be bound and tied to a silver chair for his own safety and the safety of others. Sure as shootin’, Pole, Scrubb and Puddleglum happen upon the Black Knight that night right before one of his fits of rage. The knight tells them, whatever I say or do, no matter how much I plead with you, never free me from this chair or I will slay you. Moments later, he falls into one of his fits. Instead of a fit, however, it turns out that a spell is lifted from the black knight and his mind clears. He is actually Prince Rilian, the very person Aslan commissioned Pole and Scrubb (and Puddleglum) to go rescue. Rilian begs, pleads, and implores them to free him from his imprisonment. They refuse. They are understandably scared and confused.

Rilian desperately begs them one last time, to free him in the name of all that is right and good, in the name of Aslan. Suddenly, the three realize that this raving lunatic may actually be Prince Rilian. Why? Because Aslan told them that the one who speaks my name will be Rilian. What should they do?

Puddleglum’s worldview takes over...

posted by The Dawn Treader @ 7:38 AM