In the latest episode of NWeb's Talking Beasts podcast, Rilian and Glumpuddle discuss their favorite scenes in the entire series. Not seeing an active forum thread on the topic, I thought I'd open one for everyone to discuss.
Please note, I'm talking about entire scenes/chapters, not lines. (There is a topic for specific lines here.)
I've never had a difficult time picking my #1 favorite scene in the books; it's one Rilian talks about in the podcast: "The Unwelcome Fellow Traveler" in The Horse and His Boy. This scene is largely responsible for HHB being my favorite book in the series (almost from the first time I read it) consistently for the last 15 years or so. This scene captures the total sovereignty of Aslan in Narnia and (along with Aslan's conversation with Aravis later) demonstrates most fully how he is "at the back of all the stories". You can see the care and attention he takes to his servants (ensuring Shasta reached the shore as a baby, comforting him as the cat) alongside his wildness and strength (all the lions--though there was really only one). It's such a powerful scene.
Another of my top 4 (I couldn't stick to just three) is mentioned in the podcast but not discussed: Puddleglum's speech. It's iconic and powerful and filled with a deeper, more difficult test of faith than I think anywhere else in the series (even Lucy's trial in PC is bland in comparison). I say "Puddlelgum's speech" but really it's everything that happens from Jill, Eustace, and Puddleglum entering the room with the Silver Chair until Puddlelgum has his say to the Witch. This whole sequence fires up my heart and imagination every time I revisit it. The Prince's desperation, Puddlelgum's assurances about following the Signs no matter what, their struggles against the Witch's magic--it all builds up to Puddleglum's speech and that speech is the climax of it. It wouldn't move us so much if it were separated from the rest.
My next favorite is another one discussed in the podcast: Jill meeting Aslan. Like Shasta's meeting with Aslan, this scene conveys Aslan's sovereignty and wildness. It just captures so much of the wonder and danger of Narnia so well.
My fourth favorite/honorable mention is the Creation of Narnia. I just love the imagery of Aslan singing everything into being. The slow growth from Nothing to starshine to fully living World is beautiful and moving. I love it.
So what are your favorite/most memorable scenes in the books? What do you love about them?
"All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you..."
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Topic starter
Posted : August 21, 2017 6:36 am
It's difficult to make a list since there are so many great scenes throughout the series, but I've managed to whittle it down to five of my favorites. I tried to pick ones not talked about on the podcast.
Probably my favorite scene in the chronicles is the scene where Shasta meets Aslan in Horse and His Boy. It's beautifully written, form Shastas's slow realization that some is beside him in the dark to him awe and wonder at Aslan. Also the idea that everything happens for a reason even if you can't see it and that you have a purpose in life resonates with me personally.
The next one is from The Silver Chair when Rilian is freed from the chair. I love the build up of his rantings and Jill, Eustace, and Puddleglum's indecision about freeing him. I also love how you feel the weight of all the years Rilian was enchanted, it makes it very satisfying when he finally smashes the chair.
Next is in Dawn Treader when Reepicheep go's to Aslan's Country. It's a beautifully bittersweet moment and perfectly pays off his longing throughout the book.
Next is the Single Combat. I love that you see things from the spectators point of view and make you feel like your there watching with them. Also nerve wracking atmosphere is great, even though I've read the book at least dozen times and know he's going to survive, I can't help but get a little consirned for Peters safety when I re-read it.
Finally The scene in Last Battle when Tirian is tied to the tree. I'm not sure how to articulate what I like about this scene, something about the loneliness and helplessness of him crying out for help really sticks in my mind.
And a few honorable mentions: Puddleglums speech, Lucy trying to wake the tree's, Jill meeting Aslan, Caspian freeing the slaves, and many many more.
Posted : August 21, 2017 10:07 am
This is a hard question to answer. I think it changes every time I read the books. However, the two that stand out the most are when Lucy enters Narnia for the first time and meets Mr. Tumnus at the lamp post. I still get that fun mysterious feeling in my gut each time I read it, and I have been reading them for over 25 years.
I think my second favorite scene, or maybe tied for first is when Hwin stops Aravis from killing herself. This was just recently discussed in the podcast, but I have always felt this way. Hwin has become one of my favorite heroes. It shows her humble and meekness and love for her person. It is a true scene of putting someone before yourself. She is absolutely one of my favorite characters in the series as well.
I believe in Christianity as I believe in the sun: not only because I see it, but by it I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis
Posted : March 28, 2018 5:33 am
Mine would probably be Digory in the garden with Jadis. I feel like it is one of the best written moments of the series. I also think it is one of the most "adult" moments in the series. I feel like that is a scene that could have come out of any adult book - for me, it's a grown up problem, written with grown-up tension, and it's just beautifully done.
Other favourites include:
-Aslan and Shasta walking at night
-Jill and Eustace planning their journey with Puddleglum
-Uncle Andrew telling Digory the story of the rings
-Aravis telling her story of escape
-Eustace, Lucy and Edmund at the world's end
I could honestly go on a lot further and just put every scene in the series 
Member of Ye Olde NarniaWeb
Posted : March 28, 2018 2:48 pm
I love the scene in LWW when the White Witch comes for Edmund in Aslan's camp. I love how it describes Edmund not even looking at her but keeping his eyes on Aslan. I think after his journey, it really shows his new relationship with Aslan after they had their talk. I also love the similar scene in VDT when Aslan frees Eustace from being a dragon. It's a beautiful scene of redemption.
Posted : April 17, 2018 3:39 am
I love the scene where Puddleglum tells the children that they have the free Rilian even if it will mean that they will get killed. His courage has inspired me in my own difficult situations.
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Posted : May 6, 2018 2:48 pm
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