There is an interesting post about the new Narnia film depicting Susan fighting in the battles when she does not in the books at the CBMW and how the director argues that he want to represent secular opinion on women fighting on the front lines stating: "When the issue of Susan not participating in the fight for Narnia was
introduced in the first film, I rejected it then. I was like, ‘Well if
she’s just gonna make sandwiches then give her a plate and a knife.’
It’s something that I don’t agree with so I wasn’t going to make a
movie like that."
As the CBMW highlights: Lucy is presented as a model of steadfast faith in the face of adversity. After she apologizes to Aslan for not obeying him the first time and announces her determination to follow him, he tells her, "Now you are a lioness. And now all Narnia will be renewed." Lewis chooses a female protagonist to play a crucial role (and not "just make sandwiches") in the overall effort to win back Narnia. It is difficult to see how anyone would not regard her as a "strong female character."
Unless, of course, women are only considered "strong" when they act like men.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Arni // May 28, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Interesting… Especially the last point. You could also ask, “Should we have child soldiers? Aslan seems to think so!” Obviously it’s an allegorical tale and stuff, children being an metaphor of childlike faith, but still…
2 Liam // May 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Good Point Arni, Thanks for commenting…how about blogging in English, Id love to read your thoughts (anglo-centric of me I know, but I don’t expect to learn faroese anytime soon, apologies)
3 Brittany // May 28, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I really like this. I agree one hundred percent. Lucy is my favorite character in the book, she is my hero, and I wish I could be more like her. They did her perfectly in the movie. I cannot say the same for Susan, though. I really like these thoughts.
4 Liam // May 29, 2008 at 10:54 am
Thanks for commenting Brittany.
5 Laura Anne // May 31, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Lol. That only happens in the films though. In the books Aslan says that battles are no place for girls if I remember correctly!
But I agree, Lucy is fantastic portrayal of ’stepping out in faith’ so to speak…the only thing that competes is Indiana Jones and his walking on air…
6 Lilith // Jun 16, 2008 at 10:06 am
I like Susan in the movie better than in the books … Lucy is a great character in both.
If you read something about CSLewis, you’ll find out that he didn’t like women very much. As long as they were children, it was okay, but when they grew up and became women … hence how Susan was excluded from Narnia in the later books, when she grew up.
Kudos for the director to change this view, and it didn’t do any harm to the story, quite the opposite.
Llt
7 Liam // Jun 16, 2008 at 11:28 am
Thanks for Commenting Lilith, Im not so sure how founded the claim is that CSLewis didn’t like women, but I appreciate that not all Lewis’ writings are free from the time in which he was writing.
8 cesar // Jul 8, 2008 at 6:20 pm
eres la mejor actriz que visto me gustaria conocerte la mejor parte que me gusto de la peli bueno todas, cuando te acuestas al lado de lucy y durante la guerra
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