Background
The Lapsed Bear of Stormness is a minor but symbolically significant character mentioned briefly in The Last Battle. He is one of the many creatures living in Narnia during its final days, a time when corruption, fear, and deception have spread throughout the land.
This bear, once a proud talking beast descended from those who lived in the glorious days of old Narnia, has fallen into moral and spiritual decay. By the time of The Last Battle, many talking beasts have “lapsed”—losing their loyalty to Aslan and succumbing to selfishness, cowardice, or outright evil.
The Lapsed Bear of Stormness is a representative figure of this broader tragedy: how even the noble can fall when faith and memory are forgotten.
Personality
Although the Lapsed Bear is only mentioned briefly, from the context we can infer several traits:
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Cowardly or Spiritually Dull – Instead of standing up for truth and Aslan, he has abandoned the virtues that once defined Narnian beasts.
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Confused or Self-Serving – Like many lapsed creatures, he likely chooses safety or comfort over loyalty to Aslan.
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Tragic – His “lapsed” condition is not portrayed with anger but with sorrow, suggesting that he has lost his way rather than chosen evil outright.
The bear symbolizes those who drift from goodness not necessarily by malice, but by neglect, fear, or confusion.
Role in the Story
Narnia’s Final Days
In The Last Battle, the forces of deceit—led by Shift the Ape, Puzzle the Donkey, and the Calormenes—convince many Narnians that Aslan has returned when, in truth, he has not.
During this time of spiritual confusion, many talking beasts either side with the false Aslan or fall into passivity and despair. The Lapsed Bear of Stormness is one such creature, a symbol of how deeply Narnia has fallen from its former glory.
Though he does not participate directly in the major events of the story, his existence reflects the pervasive corruption that has weakened Narnia from within.
Notable Mentions
The Lapsed Bear is mentioned in a list of talking beasts who have fallen from grace—beasts who no longer serve Aslan and who, by the time of the final judgment, are unable or unwilling to recognize the true Aslan.
Analysis & Symbolism
The Fall of the Faithful
The concept of a “lapsed” bear is rich with meaning. In the early days of Narnia, talking beasts were noble, wise, and joyful. The bear’s lapse into confusion and moral failure represents the slow erosion of virtue over time when creatures forget their calling.
This idea mirrors broader Christian themes of apostasy—the loss of faith among those once chosen or blessed.
The Dangers of Comfort and Fear
Rather than actively opposing Aslan, lapsed creatures like the Bear often seek comfort, safety, or survival. In doing so, they betray their true nature. Their downfall is not through open rebellion, but through neglect and compromise.
Lewis shows that spiritual decline often happens not in great acts of evil, but in small choices to forget, to hide, or to serve the wrong master out of fear.
Tragedy, Not Hatred
The Lapsed Bear is not depicted with hatred. Instead, his fall is a tragedy, a warning about the fragility of faith and memory. He serves as a reminder that even the good must stay vigilant against spiritual decay.
Legacy in Narnia
While the Lapsed Bear of Stormness does not have a major impact on events, he is part of the tragic backdrop against which the faithful fight their last battle.
His existence highlights:
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The loss of Narnia’s former splendor.
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The need for loyalty, courage, and remembrance, even in dark times.
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The difference between the true followers of Aslan and those who have forgotten him.
Ultimately, when Aslan judges the creatures of Narnia at the end, many lapsed beasts, perhaps including the Lapsed Bear, choose to walk away from Aslan’s light, unable to accept the true King.
Conclusion
The Lapsed Bear of Stormness is a small but meaningful character in The Last Battle, symbolizing spiritual decline, fear, and the tragic consequences of forgetting one’s true nature.
Through him, C.S. Lewis reminds readers that faith must be actively remembered and lived out, not simply inherited—and that even the mightiest can fall if they lose sight of the truth.
In Narnia’s final hour, the presence of lapsed creatures like the Bear casts a shadow over the land’s beauty, but also illuminates the steadfast courage of those who remain faithful to the very end.
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