Theological Journal – June 16 Nikabrik the Dwarf: How to Lose a Culture War

The figure of Nikabrik the dwarf plays an important and salutary role for those wanting to be true Narnians, of C. S. Lewis’ fiction and 21^st century Western life.

Nikabrik is a dwarf, and the dwarves are “good guys” in the story he appears in Prince Caspian. They are among the “old Narnians,” created by Aslan the Great Lion Ruler of Narnia. The Lion entrusted various aspects of the life of the land to carious of his creatures. Over time, however, invaders from other lands had magically entered and gradually enslaved Narnia to their corrupt and unjust way of life. Tales and evidences of Old Narnia were systematically eliminated or trivialized or melded into New Narnian mythology, folk lore, and old wives’ tales, good only for scaring New Narnians away from any serious interest in Old Narnia.

Prince Caspian is the nephew and ward of his Uncle Miraz, who unbeknownst to the young Prince led a coup to have his father, the king, killed as a part of his plot assume rule of Narnia himself. As his ward Caspian was tutored in all things New Narnian. Any interest in Old Narnia was verboten. However, an old tutor for the young prince was hired, a Dr. Cornelius, who unbeknownst to Miraz’ court, is himself part dwarf, an Old Narnian. Dr. Cornelius nurtured Caspian’s love for Old Narnia and secretly instructs him in the “old stories” of the ancient land, its “scriptures.”

Cornelius alerts the prince that Old Narnia and its creatures are arising to retake the land rightfully theirs. A gathering of the Old Narnians was scheduled and Caspian planned to attend. Knocked off his horse and unconscious he awakens in the care of some of these creatures, Nikabrik among them.

Though Nikabrik was on the “right side” of this culture war, his heart had been corrupted by long hating his enemy. He was unable to plan or implement a coherent or constructive plan for prosecuting this war other than gathering power and killing the enemy. Sound familiar? The same attitudes seem to animate many involved on all sides of our cultural struggles today, even (or especially) Christian participants.

Is it possible we are becoming Nikabriks in these struggles? They are quick with a cutting sound bite, a sly inuendo, or video clip that goes viral that earns them approbation or approval. And the more they do this, the more addicted they become to it. Thus, I suggest, is thoroughly Nikabrikian.

Trevin Wax points out four traits of Nikabrik to watch out for.

1. Assume the worst, always.

We first see Nikabrik when Prince Caspian is taken captive. Nikabrik immediately assumes the worst and recommends that he and his friends kill the prince. “We can’t let it live. It would betray us,” he says. As the story unfolds, Nikabrik continually assumes that whatever happens or is about to happen is always the “worst-case scenario,” which then demands the quickest and most drastic action.

Nikabriks have felt the heartache of betrayal. They’ve been burned before. In order to avoid such hurt again, they find it easier to erect a wall around the heart—to assume everyone is out to get them, and then dispose of people rather than deal with them in their complexities. They find it hard to trust in the goodness of others because they’ve been let down before, and they don’t want to be “the fool.”

Nikabriks think it best to write someone off rather than give them a hearing. They assume the worst of someone in a different tribe (whether politically or theologically), and they assume the worst when someone from their own tribe raises issues or asks questions that may lead to greater wisdom and reflection. Suspicion reigns supreme.

“Love hopes all things” and assumes the best, even at the risk of being let down. Nikabriks assume the worst, always. Better to dispose of an innocent person and protect yourself than to face the risk of betrayal.

2. Partner with whoever hates who you hate.

Throughout the story, Lewis describes Nikabrik as someone who hates the Humans who have mistreated the dwarfs and also the mixed race of humans/dwarfs. “I hate ‘em. I hate ‘em worse than the Humans,” he says of Caspian’s teacher, Doctor Cornelius.

Nikabrik expresses a deep-seated emotional response to group identity. Although he claims to be dedicated primarily to his tribe of dwarfs, he is driven more by disdain for everyone outside of his people than he is for the people he claims to be for. The primary emotion Nikabrik feels toward those outside his tribe is contempt, to the point it infects his relationship with his friends. “You make me sick,” he tells a goodhearted friend who displays virtue and faith. He has no time for sentimental drivel—a naïve, rosy-eyed view of the world that would put forth a positive vision for the good life. Nikabrik goes into battle, not (as Chesterton said) out of love for what’s behind him, but out of hatred for who stands before him.

3. Take yourself seriously, all the time.

A third characteristic of Nikabrik is the inability to enjoy anything good. During one of the memorable scenes in Prince Caspian, when the creatures of old Narnia come together, all the characters rest and enjoy the sunset and the daisies. Nikabrik won’t light a pipe. When the great dance with the Fauns takes place, “only Nikabrik stayed where he was, looking on in silence.”

Lewis doesn’t tell us why Nikabrik didn’t take part in the festivities, but it’s likely that he wanted us to see the dwarf as being so consumed by the righteousness of his cause and the suffering of those on “his side” that he had forgotten the happiness he once had fought for. Consumed by the seriousness of the cause, Nikabrik cannot let down his guard to smile, to laugh, or to enjoy the good things in life.

4. Sacrifice your principles for pragmatic results.

Nikabrik is the one who eventually proposes a summoning of the White Witch in an effort to win the battle against evil. When asked if he believes in Aslan, he replies, “I’ll believe in anyone or anything that’ll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia. Anyone or anything, Aslan or the White Witch, do you understand?”

Nikabrik cares primarily about himself and his people. He doesn’t mind sacrificing his principles for pragmatic results as long as his own people are treated better. “She got on all right with us Dwarfs. I’m a dwarf and I stand by my own people. We’re not afraid of the Witch… If you can’t help my people, I’ll go to someone who can.” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/c-s-lewis-and-the-cautionary-tale-of-nikabrik/

It should be fairly easy to see that this way being, this Nikabrikian style, is not the way of Jesus. Yet too many Christians on all sides seem to have made their peace with this strategy for waging this culture war. It may be that Lewis’ character here in Prince Caspian may provide us with reason enough to reconsider and rectify this failing. For the Nikabrik way is a sure way to lose a culture war!