Interacting with Nature

Chronicles of Narnia:

The creation of a new world offers a fresh perspective on the notion of progress. When Uncle Andrew interacts with Narnia, he is uncomfortable and transactional. He views this new land as a place for him to profit, a place for him to take and not give. In the modern world, land and creation is viewed similarly. It produces resources, creates power, provides spaces for humanity to live, interact, build, work, raise a family. As America began to spread westward,  land became a commodity to be given away, something that produced money. Progress became an attempt to control nature, control what existed long before humans stepped foot on it.

The change of the creation song as Narnia forms is important because it highlights the foreign, "other" aspect of nature which is not meant to be controlled and understood by man. The song evoked passion, adventure, running, jumping, fighting and ultimately paradox. It evoked a feeling that Digory could not understand in himself and was not rational. This world was not built for man. Narnia was formed by Aslan, a character inconceivable to everyone else and yet still in close relationship. Perhaps the relationship the characters have to Aslan is similar to the relationship they should have with Narnia. Narnia (and nature by extension) should be inconceivable, leaving man in awe of its greatness, terrified of its power, overwhelmed by its beauty. But that does not mean man has no relationship with nature. Narnia becomes a place that Digory fights to protect. The Cabby and his wife become the king and queen over the land. And in it, one becomes a better person or a truer version of ones' self.

Progress relies on man controlling and understanding nature. However, nature was not made for man and its sole purpose is not to serve man. To believe so would be to discredit the maker.