Felines as Symbols
Throughout the novel the feline is a symbol of Aslan; when he needs to protect he is a mountain lion, when he needs to soothe and offer courage and companionship he is a cuddly barn cat and when he needs to drive the children forward at speed to save Archenland he is a huge attack from lion. Each time a feline form is mentioned or seen by one of the characters it symbolizes Aslan!s presence.
Language as a Symbol
To the animals language is a Symbol of coming from Narnia, as it is only in Narnia that animals have been given the power of speech. It is also a symbol to the author of greater humanity and the importance of communication as the animals had the power of speech given to them as a reward not as something that just happens organically in Narnia.
Twins' Names as a Symbol
Shasta discovers that his name is really Cor and that he is the two brother of Corin. This type of naming is symbolic of the way in which twins in Archenland were seen as continuums of each other with names such as Cole and Colin, or Eliza and Elizabeth illustrating that the twins were not two individual unrelated siblings but actual extensions of each other.
Aslan as an Allegory
Aslan is the adored heavenly king of Narnia and much revered. He is widely believed to be an allegory of God as he created Narnia. He also gives his chosen people tasks that will save humanity both physically and spiritually. In this novel, he is considered to be a dark force by the Calormene which is also allegorical of the religious wars that were fought in the time of the Crusades.
Courage as a Motif
Throughout the novel there is a motif of courage. All of the characters are called upon to show courage at sometime or another. For example, Lasaraleen is courageous in helping Aravis to escape. As the protagonists Aravis and Shasta are both children with great courage. Both of the horses also show considerable courage to escape when they know that if they are caught they will most likely be killed.
