The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe less common research angles by scholars of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" is the political, particularly with respect to the Cold War. One scholar, Roger Chapman, focuses on the underlying theme of the Cold War and Lewis' "negative attitudes" towards Totalitarianism. It is speculated that this theme of war contributes to the massive popularity of "The Chronicles of Narnia" novels. The characters are on a quest to help Narnia, much like the west was doing; launching a quest against communism. The trials many of the children face in Narnia are comparable to those children faced in resilience to
The Chronicles of Narnia book: Lewis's interest in the literary symbolism of medieval and Renaissance astrology is more overtly referenced in other works such as his study of medieval cosmology "The Discarded Image", and in his early poetry as well as in "Space Trilogy". Narnia scholar Paul F. Ford finds Ward's assertion that Lewis intended "The Chronicles" to be an embodiment of medieval astrology implausible, though Ford addresses an earlier (2003) version of Ward's thesis (also called "Planet Narnia", published in the "Times Literary Supplement"). Ford argues that Lewis did not start with a coherent plan for the books, but Ward's book answers this