Yes, the title is a bit repetitive. But it gets at my point, because these blog tags are really, really old, and I've been meaning to make this post for so long, but haven't gotten to it until now.

The Narnia Blog Tag by Ashes

Okay. First, up, I was tagged for the Narnia Blog Tag on March 18 by my friend Ashes, who runs the blog Gathered Tulips. Please check it out. Ashes is an amazing artist (in more than one sense of the term), an INFJ, and a decent person who doesn't bite—at least as far as I know. Ashes, I'm really sorry this is months late. I really meant to get to this earlier, but (obviously) that didn't happen. First, let's cover the fun stuff.

Rules and rites

1. Thank the person who tagged you.     
2. Describe what kind of Narnia fan you are (nostalgic, serious, or maniacal).     
3. Answer the questions below.     
4. Tag five or more bloggers.     
5. Have fun. (Or don't. Who am I to tell you what to do, after all?)

Thanks

Thank you so much for the tag, Ashes! Please don't hate me for not doing this sooner. 

Bet you didn't see that coming. I used a Russian site to make this precious meme, risking my life and national security. That makes this an extra special meme. You're welcome.

By the way, in case you didn't know, I did not make up Puss in Boots. This cute picture of him with his adorable big eyes is the property of its respective owner(s), which is likely Dreamworks Animation. (Go watch Shrek or Puss in Boots. They're hilarious.)

What kind of Narnia fan am I?

Apparently there are three different kinds: the nostalgic fanatic, the serious fanatic, and the maniacal fanatic. The definitions are as follows.

• Nostalgic: fans who read the books or watch the movies as children, who have a warm feeling inside when they think about Narnia.     
• Serious: fans who have rediscovered Narnia as adults and have watched the movies and read the books.           
• Maniacal: fans who've hid in closets more than is healthy and have watched all the movies including the BBC ones.

Like Ashes, I'm definitely a nostalgic fan(atic). I remember reading through the books when I was 10 and absolutely loving them. I remember how after watching Disney's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, my friends and siblings would enact the First Battle of Beruna from the end (because it's so epic!). I even remember having a (tiny) crush on Georgie Henley at some indeterminate point in my childhood, 'cause Lucy Pevensie is amazing. So yeah, I'm a nostalgic. What do you think you are?

The official interrogation beginneth

1. Who is your favorite Pevensie sibling? 

Definitely Lucy. I mean, how could you not admire her childlike faith, wisdom, and cheerfulness? Plus, she's kinda cute.

2. What is the most underrated book of The Chronicles of Narnia?

The Horse and His Boy, totally! Quite the exciting quest, and told from a completely different perspective than all the other books! Plus, it can be quite funny. I mean, Lasaraleen Tarkheena. Need I say more?

3. Who is your favorite Narnian king? 

Does Aslan count? If not, then probably King Tirian. In addition to having a cool name, he was such an admirable, courageous character, on fire for justice and truth. I want to be more like him.

Aside from him, King Peter is a favorite-ish. 

4. Who is your favorite Narnian queen?

Like you, Ashes, I love Lucy (as I related above). She definitely is a Matthew 11:25 character! (I'm too lazy to type it out, so why don't you look it up?)

5. Which non-human character do you like best?

Tumnus! Also Reepicheep. He's so inordinately conceited and brave for someone so short. Oh, and hilarious.

6. Which book deserves a movie? 

The Horse and His Boy, of course! The actors and actresses who played the Pevensies are the right ages, too. I'm kinda sad Disney didn't hold onto the movie rights. 😭 

7. What was one thing you did as a Narnia fanatic that you do not regret?

Um... almost dying every single time I listen to Harry Gregson-Williams' epic soundtrack for the first and second films? One of the only near-death experiences I want to repeat over and over. 

Now, I taggeth some helpless victims *cackles*

I know most taggers give their tagees (is that a word?) the option of not participating, but I'm going to be different and not give that option. Although if you desperately beg and plead for mercy in the comments, I may reconsider my mandate. Maybe. 

• Havalah Ruth Peirce of Havalah Ruth Peirce — Writer. Artist. Seeker of Wisdom and Truth.
• Ryan Elizabeth of Ryan Elizabeth Writes
• Grace of Don't You Know I'm Singing
• Caleb E. King of Caleb E. King — A Young Writer's Blog
• Maya Joelle of Maya Joelle — The Stories are True

Thanks again for the tag, Ashes! This was a lot of fun to do!

The Socratic Circle Tag by Havalah a.k.a. Peony

Now, onto a more serious subject. If you're anything like me, you're thinking, "What is a Socratic circle, and why should I care?" Well, from what I can tell, a Socratic circle is a thoughtful conversation centered around a single question. You can get a more detailed and informed definition from Havalah, who is smarter than me. 

The question this Socratic circle is centered on is the following: can the ethical ever be suspended for the sake of a higher power?

This question can be interpreted however you like. I'm going to interpret it as asking whether an ethical or moral framework a person lives by can be "suspended" when it is contradicted by a higher-up's dictates. 

Not to make things complicated, but I think it depends. I think there are instances in which one might be obligated to forego a lesser moral obligation in order to fulfill a greater one. Choosing the lesser of two evils, in other words.

This is going to be a weird example, but please bear with me. You are trapped in an evil supervillain's volcano, and he's locked up a friend of yours in a giant cage dangling precariously over bubbly, hot magma. He says he will release your friend if you commit suicide. The supervillain, in this instance, is "a higher power". If you believe in the Bible, you would probably consider suicide wrong on account of the implications of several verses (Exodus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Deuteronomy 30:19). But in this instance, I think it would be okay—even noble—to commit suicide to save your friend's life. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). 

I don't know, did I get this right? Or did I miss something? What do you think? 

Thanks so much for the tag, Havalah! This definitely got me thinking. T'was a tough question. 😉 

Also, I'm sorry this is late. I figured that since this wasn't that late, though, I could forego the Russian meme apology. You just get a plain old apology from me, sorry.

I taggeth more

Actually, I'm tagging everyone I just tagged last, except Havalah. So Ryan, Caleb, Grace, and Maya, feel free to do this if you feel like you have any thoughts to add to the discussion. And if your name isn't Ryan, Caleb, Grace, or Maya, and you have a blog, please feel free to do this Socratic circle tag and/or the Narnia tag. Also, feel free not to. On the other hand, if your name is Ryan, Caleb, Grace, or Maya, you don't have that option, sorry.

What kind of Narnia fan are you? Are you a Socrates fan? Please check out the blogs of the wonderful people I linked to above! 

I hope the humor in this post didn't feel forced or rude. I didn't intend either. 🙃