OK, this is what I was thinking about the end of
Dawn Treader:
It seems clear to me that Lewis was (for probably the third time) wrapping up Narnia for good. He closely models the end of story, after Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace's journey through the sea of lilies and their good-bye to Reepicheep, after John 21.
But between them and the foot of the sky there was something so white on the green grass that even with their eagles' eyes they could hardly look at it. They came on and saw that it was a Lamb.
"Come on and have some breakfast," said the Lamb in its sweet milky voice.
They noticed for the first time that there was a fire lit on the grass and fish roasting on it. They sat down and ate the fish, hungry now for the first time for many days. And it was the most delicious food they have ever tasted.--The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Ch. 16
And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.--John 21:9-13
Here we see a close repetition of motifs: The disciples/children leave a boat, come ashore, and a disguised Christ waits for them with roasted fish grilled on an open fire, invites them to eat breakfast, and they sit and eat with Him. There is an element of mystery to the meal over the character with whom they eat, but it is a "disclosed mystery"--you know who it is in John, and you know who it is in
Dawn Treader even before He transforms His image into the Lion. (Also, read John's description of the Risen Christ in Revelation 1 for the brilliant whiteness of Him.)
Next, there is the confrontation, and the telling of things as they will be, even though there will be difficult or uncertain at times:
"Dearest," said Aslan very gently, "you and your brother will never come back to Narnia"
"Oh, Aslan!!" said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices.
"You are too old, children," said Aslan, "and you must begin to come close to your own world now."
"It isn't Narnia, you know," sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are--are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am," said Aslan. "But I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This is the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there there.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”--John 21:18-19
... but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.--John 20:31
OK, Lewis seems to be conflating (blending) some stuff not just from John 21, but a little from John 20 as well, which isn't too much of a stretch, since it is the spirit of the end of that Gospel: Believing and knowing God. But I think we still have some strong parallel here: Christ breaks some bad news, leading to an inner conflict on the part of the disciple/children that hear it. Lewis' statement of purpose for why the children Lucy and Edmund came to narnia (i.e., why the
reader has been taken to Narnia) is nearly identical to the statement of purpose for John's Gospel in 20:30: That you may believe, and know Christ. I think this is a pretty strong declaration on Lewis' part about his series, since it is likely (as Prince of the West has pointed out) that he wrote each installment (at least int he early stages) fully intending it to be the last.
"And is Eustace never to come back here either?" said Lucy.
"Child," said Aslan, "do you really need to know that?"
Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter therefore seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”--John 21:20-22
Here's the classic objection statement: Upon hearing bad news from the Lord, we look to our brother and ask about him/her as a reflection of our own loss. God's answer is "It's none of your business." This seems a favorite passage of Lewis,' since he refers to it on the third page of his preface to
Mere Christianity.
So, my conclusion is:
1) At the close of the
Dawn Treader, Lewis felt he was closing the series. This is evidenced by the crossing of Reepicheep into Aslan's Land, the finding of the end of the world, the last of the Pevensie's being "banned" from Narnia, and the use of "closing language" from a Gospel to communicate truths that Lewis felt were absolutes that could not be improved upon.
2) Lewis makes a clear statement regarding Aslan's identity, as strong as anything in LWW: Aslan appears as a Lamb (also John's powerful symbol in both his Gospel and in Revelation for Christ), then changes into a Lion (the two together being a symbol of eternal bliss). His actions and conversation mirror with significant subtlety the actions and words of Christ in from a Gospel. And He clearly says He is to be known by another name in Lucy and Edmund's own world. Hints like anvils are falling all over the place, and this is as close as Lewis comes to using the name of Jesus outright.
3) Lewis makes a statement of purpose that sets him apart from the work of Tolkien in that he says "you came to Narnia that you might know me." I take this as very pointed to the
reader, and not merely a statement for Lucy and Edmund. We have been taken to Narnia, all of us, through the Wardrobe, by Caspian blowing Susan's ancient horn, by the painting on Eustace's guest room wall. Why? Not just to entertain, says Lewis. But that we may know Him "a little" in Narnia, whetting our taste for Aslan's breath that we may truly and deeply know Him here in our world.
This all might be very obvious to others, but I hadn't seen it posted, so I want to put it out there.
