subject: Tips for Teaching Literary Analysis - Moral and The Last Battle [print this page] Tips for Teaching Literary Analysis - Moral and The Last Battle
As explained throughout a Narnia unit study, every fictional work is built upon a foundation of literary elements. One of these key literary elements is moral. Moral can be defined as the underlying meaning or main insight of a story. It is the lesson that the reader can take away from reading the work.
C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia for many reasons, one of which was to communicate thoughts or ideas. Like Aesop's fables, the author wants the reader to learn a lesson as he reads the story. The moral, which might also be called the theme, to The Last Battle may not be directly stated by Lewis. Instead the moral may be demonstrated through the characters' actions and consequences. The moral may be conveyed through the individual changes and personal growth seen in a character during the story. Perhaps the moral is suggested by the way the conflict resolves near the conclusion. Or the moral might even be hinted at in the title. All of these demonstrations of the moral are explained in a Narnia unit study.
To think about the moral in The Last Battle, we can ask ourselves:
1. What do the characters learn about themselves?
2. What do the characters learn about each other?
3. What do the characters learn from their circumstances?
For a short story, there may be only one theme. For a longer book like The Last Battle, the morals can be many. Specifically, what lessons are taught as Narnia is saved? How do the characters Shift and Puzzle teach the reader those lessons? Do you agree with the moral to the story? Why or why not?
Think about what you've read so far in the whole of the seven Chronicles of Narnia books in terms of moral. What have the characters the Pevensies learned so far? How have they changed? What conflicts have they faced and how have those been resolved? What role does Aslan play in the lessons to be learned? What moral(s) do you think C.S. Lewis is trying to communicate as Narnia is restored? A Narnia unit study should ask you to write down your answers to these questions in order to help you construct a possible moral or theme.
---
Melanie Hexter is the author of The Chronicles of Narnia unit study, a LEMILOE Publishing "Winning at Literature" comprehensive literature-based unit study that provides teachers and home school parents with a step-by-step guide for teaching literary analysis while exploring the wonders of Narnia. To learn more about this study, visit www.NarniaUnitStudy.com.
