Summary
The Last Battle, published in 1956, is the seventh and final novel in C.S. Lewis's beloved fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. This critically acclaimed work won the prestigious Carnegie Medal and serves as a poignant conclusion to the enchanting world of Narnia. Set approximately 200 Narnian years after the events of The Silver Chair, the book explores themes of faith, loyalty, and the ultimate fate of the magical realm.
Plot
In The Last Battle, an ape named Shift convinces a donkey called Puzzle to masquerade as Aslan, the great lion. This deception allows Shift to manipulate the Narnians and ally with the neighboring Calormenes, who worship a deity named Tash. As the falsehood spreads, King Tirian, the last monarch of Narnia, becomes increasingly committed to revealing the truth. During his attempts, he is captured and tied to a tree.
Tirian's call for help summons Jill Pole and Eustace Scrubb from Earth. They free the king and gather a small band of loyal Narnians, including a unicorn named Jewel. Meanwhile, the false Aslan's influence grows, and many Narnians lose faith. The group learns that the Calormenes have invaded Narnia and slaughtered the army. Tirian and his companions make a final stand at the stable where “Tashlan” supposedly resides, hoping to expose the deception.
The confrontation leads to a chaotic battle. Many Narnians are killed or thrown into the stable as sacrifices. Tirian, fighting alone, pulls the Calormene leader Rishda into the stable and finds himself in a vast, beautiful country. The “Friends of Narnia” from previous books appear, explaining they have died in a train accident on Earth. The real Aslan arrives and praises Tirian for his bravery.
Aslan then brings about the end of Narnia. He calls all creatures to be judged, with the faithful entering his country while others fade away. The world of Narnia is consumed by dragons and floods before freezing over. Aslan leads the faithful to a “true” version of Narnia, revealing that the previous world was merely a shadow. The story concludes with the revelation that this new world is just the beginning of an eternal adventure in Aslan's country.
Themes
Faith and doubt
Good versus evil
Deception and truth
Loyalty and betrayal
The end of times
Religious tolerance and intolerance
The nature of reality and perception
Setting
The Last Battle takes place in the fictional world of Narnia, approximately 200 Narnian years after the events of The Silver Chair and roughly 2500 years since Narnia's creation. This places the story in Narnia's final days, as the once-magical realm faces its ultimate challenge from within.
The primary setting is the western regions of Narnia, where much of the action unfolds. Key locations include the stable where the false Aslan is said to reside and the surrounding forests where trees are being felled under false pretenses. Cair Paravel, the capital of Narnia, is briefly mentioned, though it is reported to have fallen to invading forces.
As the story progresses, the setting expands to include Aslan's Country, a paradise-like realm that represents the true, eternal Narnia. This otherworldly locale serves as the backdrop for the novel's climactic scenes and philosophical revelations, contrasting sharply with the decaying world of Narnia in its final hours.
Characters
Tirian: The last king of Narnia. He is brave and noble, fighting to defend Narnia against deception and invasion. Tirian calls upon Aslan for help and leads the final battle against the Calormenes. He ultimately joins Aslan in the true Narnia.
Eustace Scrubb: A friend of Narnia who returns to help in its time of need. Eustace has grown wiser since his previous adventures and fights loyally alongside King Tirian. He represents the faithful who stand firm in their beliefs when others falter.
Jill Pole: Another friend of Narnia who comes to its aid. Jill demonstrates courage and resourcefulness throughout the final battle. Her archery skills prove valuable in the fight against the Calormenes.
Shift: A cunning and greedy ape who orchestrates a false Aslan. Shift's deception and alliance with the Calormenes bring about Narnia's downfall. He represents the corruption that can arise from within.
Puzzle: A naive donkey tricked by Shift into impersonating Aslan. Puzzle eventually realizes his mistake and joins Tirian's side. His character arc illustrates the themes of deception and redemption.
Jewel: A loyal unicorn and King Tirian's best friend. Jewel stands by Tirian throughout the ordeal and fights bravely in the final battle.
Rishda Tarkaan: The Calormene captain leading the invasion of Narnia. He collaborates with Shift to deceive the Narnians and is ultimately taken by Tash.
Aslan: The true lion-god of Narnia. Aslan appears at the end to judge all creatures and lead the faithful to his country.
Emeth: A honorable Calormene soldier who discovers his true devotion is to Aslan, not Tash. He represents the idea that sincere faith, even if misplaced, can be recognized by Aslan.
Ginger: A talking cat who allies with the Calormenes. Ginger loses his ability to speak after encountering the real Tash in the stable.
Tash: The evil deity worshipped by the Calormenes. Tash is summoned to Narnia and represents the antithesis of Aslan.
Griffle: A dwarf who leads others to lose faith in both Aslan and Tash. He represents cynicism and disbelief.
Quick facts
The Last Battle is the seventh and final book in The Chronicles of Narnia series.
The book won the Carnegie Medal in 1956, recognizing the year's best children's book by a British subject.
The Last Battle is the only book in the series where the Pevensie children do not appear as main characters.
Susan Pevensie is notably absent from the book, having stopped believing in Narnia.
The story takes place about 200 Narnian years after the events of The Silver Chair.
The Last Battle introduces new characters, Shift the Ape and Puzzle the Donkey, as central to the plot.
The book deals with themes of religious deception and the end times.
The Last Battle reveals the ultimate fate of Narnia and many beloved characters from previous books.
The story features a false Aslan, echoing the concept of the Antichrist.
The final scenes depict the destruction of Narnia and the introduction of “Aslan's country,” a representation of heaven.
About the Author
C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis was one of the most influential Christian authors and scholars of the 20th century. Born in Belfast in 1898, he became an acclaimed academic at Oxford and Cambridge universities, specializing in medieval literature. Though raised Christian, he became an atheist as a young man before reconverting to Christianity in his early 30s, influenced by friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. This spiritual journey profoundly shaped his later writings.
As a novelist, Lewis is best known for The Chronicles of Narnia, a beloved series of children's fantasy books with Christian themes. He also wrote science fiction for adults, including the Space Trilogy. His nonfiction works of Christian apologetics, such as Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters, remain widely read and discussed. Lewis had a gift for explaining complex theological concepts in accessible language, earning him the nickname “The Apostle to the Skeptics."
Lewis's personal life was marked by tragedy and romance later in life. In 1956 at age 58, he married Joy Davidman, an American writer with whom he had corresponded. Sadly, she died of cancer just four years later. Lewis chronicled his grief in the moving book A Grief Observed. He continued writing and teaching until his own death in 1963, which was overshadowed in the news by the assassination of John F. Kennedy on the same day.
C.S. Lewis's legacy as both a creative writer and Christian thinker has only grown since his death. His works have sold millions of copies and been adapted into films, stage plays, and radio dramas. Lewis societies and academic centers devoted to studying his life and writings exist around the world.
