You have probably guessed by now that I’m pretty committed to the idea of pilgrimage. I chose “A Pilgrim in Narnia” as the name for this site because I wanted to capture that feeling of walking with characters in a story. I love film, but we always know we are watching the story over there, a few feet away on a backlit screen. The pages of a book are like the Narnian wardrobe to me–if I’m curious enough and find my way in, they can take me to other worlds.
When I was thinking of ideas for a SPACE course, then, it was this simple invitation to pilgrimage that most attracted me. I have taught The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in various settings and with different themes. In the upcoming SPACE course in March, we will be drawing out some of these themes, like “Seers vs. Swordsmen,” mythological backgrounds, “The Bookshelves Behind the Book,” differing models of leadership, “The Economics of Oppression and the Beavers’ Lunch,” “What’s the Deal with Father Christmas?”, the relationship of image and text, and so on. We will also occasionally draw on other resources, such as references to film adaptations or scholarship like Planet Narnia. All the ideas will be there.
However, the main program is simply this: We will read the text closely together so that we can see what the characters see and feel what they are feeling. We want to join in on the fairy tale and the journey between worlds. This class is about a simple pilgrimage into this classic work of children’s fantasy, and I would love for you to join me.
My occasional SPACE classes have been among my most fun teaching experiences ever, including a couple of iterations of “Reading L.M. Montgomery as Fantasy: Anne of Green Gables” and one month of “Ink Spots and Tea Stains: What We Learn from C.S. Lewis’s Writing Habits.” SPACE is an online, interactive, non-credit short course program for adult lifelong learning. Students are paying $100-$150 for each class because–and here is the amazing thing–they simply want to learn. Because it brings them joy, they pay to learn languages or writing or walk through the books, poems, and films they love. No tests, no threats, no diplomas, no deadlines, no consequences or rewards–simply the beauty of the journey with experts and peers.
I would love to have you walk with me into Narnia!
To find the course, click here. If it is your first SPACE course, there will be a few steps to sign up, I’m sure. Feel free to reach out with questions or drop a comment below sharing your favourite moment in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Full link: https://blackberry.signumuniversity.org/space/modules/iteration/2344
