David Thornton - Orual's Manipulation of Love

“Love is not a thing to be so used.” (Lewis 204) The Fox says this to Orual after saying the night before that he might leave Glome. The Fox had been verbally dreaming about all the things he had missed as a slave over the years. Though this is a quote from the Fox about himself, the quote alludes to the way in which Orual treated people. Orual had stabbed herself in order get Pysche to test the gods: a sure desire of Orual’s, not that of Pysche. For Pysche believed in the gods she could not visibly see. But, Orual, in her rational Greek perspective of things, wanted to test the actual existence of the gods. Secondly, this quote illuminates Orual’s treatment of her sister. In her selfishness, Orual had considered herself the one to be pitied because of ugliness. But, as Orual focused more and more on the Fox and Pysche, who coincidentally offered her more, Redevil was left behind in her own lonliness. Throughout the book, Redevil is seen through Orual’s eyes to act like a whore. But, she never recognized Redevil’s lonliness fromkm being banished and guarded in room while having no friends. Lastly, the love should be used because it is something that brings people together. Orual had been using love for herself, thus causing people to stay their distance from her. This quote ultimately portrays the life of Orual before she realized she needed to live for the gods and not for herself.