this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2023
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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (11 children)

Which stories are being criticized here? I can't think of any examples of this kind of coming of age story.

[–] MrMcGasion 27 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I can't come up with examples from modern popular culture, but I do remember the C.S. Lewis novels in the Narnia series often ending that way, as though the battles in Narnia were somehow less real. But those stories are a bit niche at this point.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Aslan didn't allow the oldest girl into "heaven" with the other kids in the last book because she... checks notes... wore makeup and liked boys. C S Lewis got reeeal puritanical towards the end of that series.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's not a great representation, she didn't die in the train crash because she became distant from her family, so since she's still alive on earth she's obviously not going to "heaven".

There is a one off line about those being her interests which was a weird choice, but it's not like she went to wardrobe hell lol

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

No it mentions her interest in things Aslan disapproved of a few times or at least alludes to it a few times throughout. Frankly his attude to women and the girls is bloody awful at best.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Got any examples? Wouldn't be surprised, the Christianity themes are not subtle lol, but the line I'm thinking of that references makeup is really just a weird one-off line that he doesn't elaborate on.

But regardless, her story is left open ended because she's still alive. She wasn't denied access into big kitty heaven.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I can't find nd my copy of the books but did find this quote from C.S Lewis

“Peter gets back to Narnia in it. I am afraid Susan does not. Haven’t you noticed in the two you have read that she is rather fond of being too grownup? I am sorry to say that side of her got stronger and she forgot about Narnia.”

It's just such a narrow attitude to children growing up. I love how Philip Pullman covers the same subject by celebrating the change from child to adult (or young adult). C.S Lewis is seems angry that childhood ends and children might have the audacity to change.

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