Shift the Manipulator, The Last Battle

The Last Battle is many people's least favorite book in the Narnian Chronicles, and while I can understand their objections, I think it has a lot going for it. Shift, the aptly-named ape, is one of the best-drawn characters in all the Narnia stories, and he provides yet another example of misused authority.  Shift manipulates to get his way. He exercises authority by lies and trickery, all the while convincing his victims that he is only looking out for their best interests. For example, let's look at how Shift manipulates his so-called friend, Puzzle the donkey.

"Really, Puzzle," said Shift, "I didn't think you'd ever say a thing like that. I didn't think it of you, really."

"Why, what have I said wrong?" said the Ass, speaking in rather a humble voice, for he saw that Shift was very deeply offended.  Now what is Shift doing in this passage by acting offended? He is manipulating Puzzle by creating false guilt. Have you ever seen someone moping around, waiting for others to feel sorry for him? (Maybe you have even done this yourself.) Perhaps this type of person wants pity, or perhaps they want to instill a false sense of guilt in someone, but the goal is always the same—somehow they want to get their way. There is something they want—maybe they just want to feel some kind of power over others—and they manipulate others' feelings in order to get it.

Douglas Wilson. 'What I Learned in Narnia'