Children's Media: Be Brave in Narnia

Brave and Spirituality in Children's Media

Being in a family can be so terrible sometimes that one must run away into the woods and never return. However, being in a family can be the place where one feels love and a sense of worth and home. Merida from the film Brave (2012) relates to both of these feelings of being in a family, but throw on top of that being royalty. Traditions come with royalty. The King and Queen rule not only the whole land but definitely their family. What says goes in the royal household. However, Merida, the protagonist of the film, doesn't believe so. This film teaches children that a child or teenager can stand up against their parents out of pure rebellion but also out of pure love.

Disney princess films generally include a child who rebels against their parents. It's important to note in Brave, Princess Merida actually has two parents and not only one like in many other Disney films. The representation of having both a father and mother shows that being a princess doesn't mean that your mom or dad passed away in a tragic accident or it's simply never mentioned. In Brave, the royalty tradition for marriage is to have princes from other clans fight for the princess's hand in marriage. The princess doesn't have a choice to whom she will marry. The film viewer sees Merida rebel against her mother and in this arranged marriage. Agency is an important principle that children need to learn. Children see that she doesn't want to do this however her mother won't oblige and won't listen to her daughter's needs. Children can relate to instances where they feel like their parents aren't listening to them. Now, this decision is regarding marriage, not about the cookies in the cookie jar. The weight of the decision to marriage is much larger and children can recognize that.

The mother character, Elinor, is the antagonist of the film. How many Disney films include the parent as the true antagonist? There are films where the prince or princess feel trapped by their parents because they can't do what they want but generally there is still a villain for the antagonist, Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin (1992), Lion King (1994). In Brave, the mother is the one who is stopping her from what she wants. The witch in the film is not the antagonist. This character actually helps Merida's wish come true which will ultimately lead to the mending of Merida and Elinor's relationship. The film shows children how not every child's relationship with their parent is perfect. The two in the relationship have to work things out.

Now, Disney does something incredible with this theme of standing up to your parents can be the right thing to do in a certain situation. Children need to see these examples and learn that it is possible to do. Princess Merida's mother, Elinor, is changed to a black bear due to the Princess's wish. However, Merida learns quickly that she shouldn't have done that to solve the problem. At first, she puts the blame on others and doesn't even take accountability for the change. Towards the end of the film, she does and she chooses to help her mom change back to a human. The specific scene where Merida stands up to a parent out of pure love is right near the climax of the film. Her father doesn't know that the bear is her mother and he and the other warriors are trying to kill her. Her father is about to strike her and Merida stands between her father and her mother. She chooses to stand up for her mother and risk her own life from physical abuse. Children can see that it is possible to stand up to a parent who is trying to physically harm another family member. It takes much bravery to do that, especially when it's your own parent or within your own family. Disney does this in a way that is not right on the nose but can lead to a healthy discussion with children about physical abuse. To see the father's reaction when he realizes he was about to hit his own wife is impactful. For that father, he didn't know that his wife had changed into a bear, however in real life, fathers can clearly see what they're hitting. Physical abuse can come from a father or a mother and they can feel like bear attacks.

Brave is a film that can surprise the viewer by its content. By taking the traditional Princess narrative and changing it to show how a child can stand up to a parent when the moment is right. Children can receive more hope in their family relationships. They can see how standing up for a parent can be worth it in the end. How many times do parents stand up for their kids? How many times though do kids stand up for their parents? There are probably many instances at school or at home where children defend their parents with their parents never even knowing.

In Narnia

At an LDS General Conference, it is common for a speaker to quote another general authority or a passed on prophet. It is also common for a speaker to quote C. S. Lewis. The author has published many books and has shared powerful insights and symbolism through his stories for the Christian community. One of his most popular books is The Chronicles of Narnia (1950). 

The Chronicles of Narnia (1950) is full of symbolism where a child can understand how the lord of the woods died for the children and for the creatures because he loved them. C. S. Lewis took a chance in being bold to include religion in children's literature in a short time after World War II. The book spreads the veil thin where the reader in a familiar way, can know that effective spiritual symbols will teach not only children but adults about christianity and the need of religion in children's media. There are many examples that can lead to a helpful, important discussion about christianity but the three that will be focused on are the power of a name and it's meaning, the first experiences for Lucy and Edmond with Narnia, and the for-ordination or potential of the children being kings and queens over a world. 

Not every book needs to include religion, not every film does. However, there is charitable cinema or spirituality in film and there needs to be a canon or section of spirituality in children's media. The Chronicles of Narnia invites the parent or adult to have a discussion with the child about Aslan choosing to die, his resurrection, and what love and sacrifice mean in today's world. True power can come from names. When a child hears his or her name, the brain knows and recognizes a person wants his or her attention. When a parent says the child's full name, one knows someone is in trouble. The example of this power in names comes from when the children hear Aslan's name for the first time from the Beaver family. "At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in his inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays.” (P. 64-65). The reaction from the children towards the name reflects their hearts and attitudes at the time. When Christians or even people hear the name of Christ, what thoughts or feelings come to them? Aslan's name is a name that all of Narnia. Jesus Christ's name is a name that all of the world knows. As Christians, we believe in taking upon the name of Christ. His name is written on our hearts. We want to support and worship Him. Children can learn from the comparison of this Christlike symbol.  

When does a child or even adult feel shame? When was the feeling of shame introduced to the world? Some believe that it was introduced in the Garden of Eden when Satan told Adam and Eve to hide due to their nakedness. Which character feels shame from when they leave Narnia for the first time? Edmond's experience juxtaposed to Lucy's first experience in Narnia is thought provoking and insightful. When Edmond The experience of leaving Narnia, going into the different world. Lucy wanted to share with her family the wonderful experience she had in a foreign land. She felt joy. Edmund was told to specifically not tell his family about his true experience he had. He was supposed to entice them to go to the Witch's castle. The Witch wanted him to lie. Satan is the father of all lies. Edmund felt ashamed and chose to not tell his siblings that he visited a different land. When people experience sin, do they try to hide it? Do they feel tempted to not tell anyone, especially when they need help the most? In the book, C. S. Lewis describes this shameful moment for Edmond when he lies to his siblings about Lucy's experience in Narnia the "nastiest thing of the story". The whole story, this lie is that nastiest. If Edmond would have told the truth, there would have been more unity within the family and so many of the trials that were placed upon Narnia and the children wouldn't have been there. 

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are "ordinary" children in England. In Narnia, there are potential kings and queens of the land. When a child hears they are for-ordained to be king and queens, their life choices will be influenced. When there is an eternal perspective, life here on earth then means that the time we have doesn't simply come and go and the end. When the children recognize that their royalty potential then they choose to stay in Narnia and help defend the land. In our specific faith, we believe that we will also be kings and queens of our own worlds. The Christlike example of a great ruler is Aslan. Children see how Aslan loves the people he serves. He is willing to sacrifice himself for his people. He leads with love. The people that serve Aslan want to help him. The Witch leads with selfishness and hatred. The people that serve with the Witch are under contract and feel like they can't choose to escape or they serve out of a fear. The Witch's land is cold and is described as "winter but without Christmas". That sounds like winter without Christ. As the Witch rules, Aslan is gone. Narnia has been winter without Aslan.

The Chronicles of Narnia (1950) is a prime example how religion in children's media can be successful with children and adults. The book is filled with Christianity symbolism, which can lead to important discussions about religion and what are its effects on people. The love that is expressed by Aslan is unconditional. Religion should still be found in children's media today in not only an abundant, right on the nose way, but a familiar way similar to The Chronicles of Narnia.