A Boy Who Lived, a Lion Who Died, and a Man Who Rose Again. An Exploration of Three Fantastical Stories and the Ties Between Them: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, and the Bible

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia reveal numerous truths about the human condition, and although fantasy fiction is often overlooked, exploring it helps readers grasp reality and increase their understanding of the world. Amongst the central ideas found in both series are hope, voluntary sacrifice, and resilience in the face of evil, all of which are virtues espoused in the Bible. Furthermore, both authors contrast “reality” and the “secondary world.” Protagonists travel from the “primary world” to the “secondary world” where they become empowered, finding within themselves previously unrealized potential and agency; for although imperfect, the “secondary world,” offers solutions and consolations. Moreover, the similarities between repressive regimes in our world and the political and social turmoil found in the stories can enable readers to gain insight into what it is like to live under an authoritarian government. Additionally, through symbols like the serpent and prophecies involving infant boys, the two stories clearly allude to the Bible, particularly to the story of Jesus. Characters in both narratives exhibit Christocentric attributes such as pacifism and a Christ-like sacrificial nature. Notably, Harry and Aslan embody the Christian Messiah through death and resurrection, whilst the main antagonists flesh out the figure of Satan in creative ways. Unlike Lewis’ clear picture of Jesus in Aslan, Rowling’s “Christ”— i.e., Harry— represents flawed humanity through the mix of good intentions and egocentric actions. However, Rowling’s villain, Voldemort, derives directly from notions of evil in the Bible, making him flat and archetypical. Lewis’ theological beliefs are plain, especially regarding evil, as he frequently incorporates common Biblical motifs in his stories. One of the most important motifs in Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia is mortality: the main villains seek to become immortal and the heroes become victorious by acknowledging, and ultimately, accepting death