As we discuss in class whether Lewis was intentionally writing a Christian-themed story or not, I wonder how much was purposefully written as biblical themes/references and how much was written by Lewis' sub-conscious. Or I suppose a third option would be just plain coincidence--that just happens to show up on almost every page.
For instance, looking at the line in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, "I should not be at all surprised to find that the other world had a separate time of its own." It follows the Christian theme that God has his own timing. Mere minutes, hours, and days do not constrain God for he created time.
Also, no matter where the children hid from Mrs. Macready's tour, they could always hear the group on their tail as the tour veered far off of the ordinary path. This whole situation seemed controlled by a power above their control or understanding. Perhaps along the lines of pre-destination or active involvement of God. . . they were purposely led into the wardrobe.
Blind faith also takes place countless times. I don't know if I, as an adult, would have enough child-like faith to have tea with a talking faun or decide that following a he-and she-beaver to a powerful lion would be the best idea in the world.
Lastly, (for this post, but in no way for the book), I was struck with the great symbolism of the snow. As Edmund is traveling to the Witches house and he heads down into the steep rocky valley before he reaches it (symbolism?), he is constantly getting snow all over him. In fact, it says, "He had to stoop under branches, and great loads of snow came sliding off on to his back." This struck me as great imagery for the weight of sin, and how God promises an easy yoke and light burden, compared to the burden of sin. And no matter how hard Edmund tried to brush it off, he couldn't do it alone, for it just piled on more. But then later in the story, Aslan (symbol of Christ) is the one who purifies the land from the snow (sin) and causes it to disappear.
Now, one can argue that people (me in this instance) are going to find symbolism/themes/references wherever they want if they try hard enough. But I still am left wondering what Lewis intentionally wrote and what seemed to creep up in the story through sub-conscious writing. Or maybe it's neither and it's just a story that has a ton of freakish coincidences.
Lewis is clear in his letters that he intends to write a narrative with Christian themes. All he denies that these books qualify as allegories in the strict sense. That said, you raise a very good point here about the extent to which we ought to be looking for parallels. Probably it would be helpful for us to acknowledge that sometimes we might be trying to discern Lewis's intent, but often we are simply making our own meaning out of his stories.
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