The Two Times Aslan Wept | Talking Beasts
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Chapter 12 of The Magician’s Nephew opens with one of the most emotional scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia. Listen to our discussion and post a comment.
The tawny face was bent down near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion’s eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory’s own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.
“My son, my son,” said Aslan. “I know. Grief is great. Only you and I in this land know that yet.”
Watch Part 2 of this discussion in which the podcasters discuss the right age to share certain movies with their kids.
This was really insightful! Aslan saying that “grief is great” is one of the most powerful moments. My pastor lost his wife to cancer back in October, and our church has been helping the family grieving through that. I would say grief is part of the healing process.
This was my favorite episode of this season so far! (It might have my favorite post show chatter of the season too.)
It is kind of odd that the cabby and his wife wouldn’t have known grief. I buy that they didn’t have any friends in London, but I’d have thought they had friends back in the country. If those friends are still alive, wouldn’t they be horrified when their friends in London mysteriously disappear with no explanation? That kind of puts a damper on the happy ending.
I agree with what Gymfan said in another episode. I don’t think Digory is so reckless and eager to explore other worlds because of his mother dying. I mean, there are plenty of people with those characteristics whose parents are perfectly healthy.
I don’t dare guess whether Aslan would have helped Digory even if he failed because…he’s not a tame lion. 😉
I admit I have sometimes speculated that reading The Magician’s Nephew first in the series would make for an interesting introduction to Aslan.
I love looking at cute babies too! And I weirdly understand how Rilian’s son was feeling. When I was a kid, I worried about growing up because all the adult books I saw looked boring. I didn’t want to read them instead of kid books. Fortunately, I eventually found adult books I love though I admit I still probably read just as many kids’ books. LOL. So if anyone reading this knows Rilian’s son, tell him for me that there is hope.
Here’s something fun. In the Talking Beasts Facebook group, the podcasters asked for suggestions for the next episode and I, not having listened to this one yet, asked what kind of new plants they would grow in the newly created Narnia. Little did I know they already covered that. (The answers being pizzas and eclairs.) Great minds think alike! 🙂
“If those friends are still alive, wouldn’t they be horrified when their friends in London mysteriously disappear with no explanation?”
I don’t think they would notice, to be honest. Those were different times, with no internet or phones (not for poor people at least). If a neighbour moves to the city, it basically means you lose any contact with them. Theoretically, they could keep in touch via letters but writing letters regularly requires time and effort (plus some money) so back then you had to really care about that person to keep in touch. Even then, if they stopped writing with no explanation, you wouldn’t necessarily assume that something terrible happened. Maybe they just don’t bother anymore. And how many people in the country could even read back then?