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Reconstructing Postcolonial Identity in Narnia through Myth, Imagination, and Secondary World Theory

ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities · Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 466–477

DOI
10.34050/els-jish.v9i2.50991
ISSN
2621-0835, 2621-0843
Published
2026-06-16
Publisher
Hasanuddin University
Language
en
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study examines The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a transformative secondary world that reconstructs postcolonial identity through myth and imagination. While the novel is commonly interpreted as a Christian allegory, this research argues that Narnia also functions as a symbolic postcolonial space where identity, cultural sovereignty, and spiritual autonomy are reclaimed. The study applies Brian Attebery’s theory of secondary worlds alongside postcolonial perspectives from Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, and Frantz Fanon. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, the data were collected through close reading and textual analysis of the novel. The findings reveal that Narnia operates as a space of transformation where the Pevensie children reconstruct their identities and reclaim authority after experiencing alienation in the primary world. The study also finds that myth functions as a form of resistance against oppression through the symbolic conflict between Aslan and the White Witch. Furthermore, imagination in the secondary world enables the characters to redefine themselves beyond the limitations of colonial domination. The study concludes that The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe represents not only a fantasy narrative but also a postcolonial discourse of liberation, cultural renewal, and identity reconstruction through myth and imagination.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

18 authors · 34 co-authorship links · 5 across different organisations

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Hasanuddin University
  • Universitas Halu Oleo
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Burhanuddin ArafahHasanuddin University4
Harlinah SahibHasanuddin University3
Abbas AbbasHasanuddin University3
M. Amir PHasanuddin University2
Muhammad ArdiansahHasanuddin University1
Fathu RahmanHasanuddin University1
Desy Nur IndrasariHasanuddin University1
Ahmad Misuari GibranHasanuddin University1
Sukmawati SukmawatiHasanuddin University1
Irmawati IrmawatiHasanuddin University1
A Ilah Nurul FalahHasanuddin University1
Peter AmirHasanuddin University1
Uswatun HasanahHasanuddin University1
Nurul HikmaAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/oai, first harvested 3 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Reconstructing Postcolonial Identity in Narnia through Myth, Imagination, and Secondary World Theory</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Azi, Rahmawati</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Abbas, Herawaty</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Muliyani, Muliyani</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Bahmansyur, Bahmansyur</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Secondary World</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Postcolonial Identity</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Myth</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Imagination</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Fantasy Literature</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study examines The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a transformative secondary world that reconstructs postcolonial identity through myth and imagination. While the novel is commonly interpreted as a Christian allegory, this research argues that Narnia also functions as a symbolic postcolonial space where identity, cultural sovereignty, and spiritual autonomy are reclaimed. The study applies Brian Attebery’s theory of secondary worlds alongside postcolonial perspectives from Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, and Frantz Fanon. Using a qualitative interpretive approach, the data were collected through close reading and textual analysis of the novel. The findings reveal that Narnia operates as a space of transformation where the Pevensie children reconstruct their identities and reclaim authority after experiencing alienation in the primary world. The study also finds that myth functions as a form of resistance against oppression through the symbolic conflict between Aslan and the White Witch. Furthermore, imagination in the secondary world enables the characters to redefine themselves beyond the limitations of colonial domination. The study concludes that The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe represents not only a fantasy narrative but also a postcolonial discourse of liberation, cultural renewal, and identity reconstruction through myth and imagination.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Hasanuddin University</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-06-16</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/50991</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.34050/els-jish.v9i2.50991</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities; Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): JUNE; 466-477</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0835</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2621-0843</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.34050/els-jish.v9i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unhas.ac.id/index.php/jish/article/view/50991/14536</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Rahmawati Azi, Herawaty Abbas, Muliyani, Bahmansyur Bahmansyur</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>