The Traveler’s Reflection: C.S Lewis Mural

Featured Image: “C.S Lewis Mural:Northern Ireland Journeys” by Jacqueline Yarbough is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Skills Showcased

This piece is showcasing my creativity and critical thinking skills. It shows this by using places and/or objects to reflect on myself. The piece also showcases my knowledge of famous authors. 

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November 29 of 1898, a notable writer was born. This boy’s name will become Clive Staples Lewis, best known as C.S Lewis. He was born in Belfast, Ireland (Northern Ireland now), but his career will be best known as British. He would be a novelist, academic, medievalist, literary critic, essayist, broadcaster, lecturer, Christian apologist, and Lay theologian. He would become friends with another important author named J.R.R. Tolkien; known for The Hobbit. He would go on write The Chronicles of Narnia series; a series of seven fantasy novels for children which is now considered a classic among children’s literature. The books written between the year of 1949 and 1954. The books contain Christian ideas, British and Irish mythology, and borrows characters from Greek and Roman Mythology. The books were adapted into radio programs, television shows, plays, and even put it into theaters. The best known adaption was Disney’s adaption of the second book The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Thus, the success of these books gave C.S Lewis the credit of renowned author for children’s literature. Thus, his city of Belfast chose to immortalize him with this mural. Above all the pictures in the mural, there is a quote that quotes one of C.S Lewis most famous sayings; “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream,” that reminds people that you are never too old to reach for the stars. C.S Lewis is the man on the right and around him are pictures of dreams. Beside him is picture of a mother and her children. Beside them is a ballerina dancing, reflecting the promotion of the arts. It is also showing how the arts is helping bring peace to Northern Ireland. With a girl to the left of the ballerina, helping a dove fly away symbolizing the dream of peace. This is also showing that the younger generation is the pathway to peace. This is better emphasize with the kids above the little girl sitting around talking with each other peacefully. This showing no discrimination to their class or religion. Above all those pictures are pictures of two buildings. On the left is a picture of Queens University of Belfast; named after Queen Victoria, the university is a public research university located in Belfast. The university promotes the education for the future. The building on the right to City Hall of Belfast; is a civic building where the Belfast City Council meets, which they helps create laws for the future. With all these pictures combined in one mural it represents that peace is made through creativity and education. This mural really speaks to me because when I was in Belfast I had brought whole The Chronicles of Narnia collection and it reminds me of how much I used to read the books as a child. As a child, I found vast enjoyment in reading that other kids did not understand. I would spend my money faster on books than toys. I remember in the 4th grade when The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was required reading. All the other kids groan, but I was willing to give it a chance. The next day, my teacher started to read the book out loud and I was entranced. When she stopped reading the first chapter, I was upset and I thought, “How could she stop there?” After I got home from school, I started to read the book for hours. I found enjoyment and peace in reading it. I only stopped when my mom called me for dinner, but after I finish eating I went back to reading. I finished the book and thought “I want more.” Afterwards, I checked the whole series from my library. From reading C.S Lewis work, I had awakened a spirit of creativity in me that want to make something imaginative of my own that will help others feel the same way as I did years ago. Not only is the mural helping me reflect on my feels, but also the feels and process of people that were in The Troubles; a conflict about religious discrimination. It is showing them that through the arts and looking back at the beauty of the past; reminds people that no matter how young or how old you are it can come true.