Abstract:

This article is a development of research into children’s literature that investigates how religious concepts are present in the writings of well-known children’s authors. Previous work has considered atonement theories and this considers the concept of grace. Grace is identified as unconditional love seen as forgiveness (without a demand for justice), moving on (without vengeance), and
extravagant offering. These three hallmarks are used as a lens through which to scrutinise The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis), The Lord of the Rings (Tolkein) and the Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling). Grace is concluded to be a core concept within implicit religion.

Author: Howard Worsley