Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Space Trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet-Melissa Faller
C.S. Lewis’ space trilogies are books written beyond human experience. The books take place on other planets such as Mars and Venus. I find that writing Sci-Fi books in the 1930s was not only a brave move but that it was also very clever. When it comes to science it does not normally blend well with religion; however C.S. Lewis did an amazing job creating a fantasy world that could subtly speak the truth of a Christian narrative. One of may favorite parts of space trilogy is in the first book Out of the Silent Plant, in which Ransom has been kidnapped and is in the shuttle on his way to…well he doesn’t exactly know where. The normal human reaction to being kidnapped and discovering that he has been placed in a shuttle should be panic. Instead, of panicking Ransom, is amazed by his surroundings. Ransom is not upset about where he is but he is completely astonished by the beauty of outer space. At this moment he reflects back on the scientific term for outer space and disagrees with the title it has been given. He believes that nothing this beautiful and filled with this much wonder and glory should be called space. Ransom writes “No space was the wrong name. Older thinkers had been wiser when they had named it the heavens” (p.34). I enjoyed the way C.S. Lewis wrote this part. In an ideal situation if a person was really caught and brought to space he would be in a state of panic, however Ransom is so distracted by the beauty of space. To me this is a great way to illustrate the true beauty of space, and to emphasize that it should not be called space at all but rather heaven was truly genius. C.S. Lewis was able to subtly introduce to the reader the true beauty of Christianity.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Till We Have Faces-Melissa Faller
C.S. Lewis writes in Till We Have Faces about profane and sacred love. Lewis displays the profane and sacred through two sisters. One scene particularly exemplified profane and sacred love to me personally. It was the scene where the Eldest sister, Orual has reached the valley of the Gods to speak to her sister Psyche for the second time. Psyche greets her with excitement and love. Orual has decided to convince Psyche that she is living in delusion and that she is not really married to a God. Orual has convinced herself that there is no such thing as Gods and that the love Psyche is experiencing is not from a God, but rather it is from a felon or some other outcast. She feels that it is her duty to speak truth to her younger sister.
This particular scene speaks profane and sacred love to me for two different reasons. The first and more obvious of Orual representing profane love and Psyche representing sacred love. Secondly, C.S. Lewis does a great job capturing the worldly struggles with the sacred and profane. The profane love being selfish and self seeking. All Orual wanted was for Psyche to love her and to come home with her. She even entertained the idea that Psyche was telling the truth, and the consequences of bringing Psyche home, but she nothing matter except for what she wanted. Where as Psyche would do anything for her sister. She portrayed sacred love in her actions and attitude.
One specific part that intrigued me was how Psyche was convinced to turn the lamp on even though she knew in her heart that she was married to a God. I feel that C.S. Lewis was trying to show how often times our spiritual lives can be questioned and how easily we break from having sacred love and return to the profane. I feel that he was trying to emphasize human sin, especially when he banishes Psyche from the valley. It reminded me of when Adam and Eve where banished from the Garden of Eden for disobey God.
This particular scene speaks profane and sacred love to me for two different reasons. The first and more obvious of Orual representing profane love and Psyche representing sacred love. Secondly, C.S. Lewis does a great job capturing the worldly struggles with the sacred and profane. The profane love being selfish and self seeking. All Orual wanted was for Psyche to love her and to come home with her. She even entertained the idea that Psyche was telling the truth, and the consequences of bringing Psyche home, but she nothing matter except for what she wanted. Where as Psyche would do anything for her sister. She portrayed sacred love in her actions and attitude.
One specific part that intrigued me was how Psyche was convinced to turn the lamp on even though she knew in her heart that she was married to a God. I feel that C.S. Lewis was trying to show how often times our spiritual lives can be questioned and how easily we break from having sacred love and return to the profane. I feel that he was trying to emphasize human sin, especially when he banishes Psyche from the valley. It reminded me of when Adam and Eve where banished from the Garden of Eden for disobey God.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rabadash: The Stubbornness of Man and Justice
By: Amy Stello
By far one of my most favorite moments in the Narnia series comes at the end of The Horse and His Boy. This time in the book, the reader knows all about Rabadash's evil plan to take over Archenland and then eventually capture Narnia and take Susan as his wife. Essentially he starts a war for his own selfish pride.
After the Narnians defeat Rabadash, the reader can see how many people Rabadash symbolizes. Man will go so far to protect his pride, even at the expense of his life. Rabadash could have accepted the mercy from his enemies and came at the Narnians with a humble perspective, asking forgiveness and setting things right, but instead he chooses to try and justify himself. Lewis knows exactly the kind of person he is characterizing. The people who get angry at others for their own failures and problems and refuse to see the logic or gain and self-perspective.
The other Narnian kings are willing to execute him and the readers can easily see why. Rabadash is clearly worthy of death, but Aslan is a wise leader. I think from a leadership perspective, Aslan is the perfect leader. He knows how to deal justice and mercy simultaneously. By turning Rabadash into, essentially, what he was on the inside is the perfect reconciliation between justice and mercy. It is especially humorous when Lewis goes into the history of Rabadash's life. Rabadash was trying to preserve his pride by not being rejected by Susan, but instead he gets defeated, rejected AND turned into a donkey. The people mock him behind his back and being stupid is equal to the phrase "being a second Rabadash" in his own country.
These little witticisms and clever ways of dealing justice are part of the reason that Lewis is one of my favorite authors. Not many writers have such a strong sense of common sense combined with idealistic fantasies. I also think this is why Lewis remains a classic writer even in modernity.
By far one of my most favorite moments in the Narnia series comes at the end of The Horse and His Boy. This time in the book, the reader knows all about Rabadash's evil plan to take over Archenland and then eventually capture Narnia and take Susan as his wife. Essentially he starts a war for his own selfish pride.
After the Narnians defeat Rabadash, the reader can see how many people Rabadash symbolizes. Man will go so far to protect his pride, even at the expense of his life. Rabadash could have accepted the mercy from his enemies and came at the Narnians with a humble perspective, asking forgiveness and setting things right, but instead he chooses to try and justify himself. Lewis knows exactly the kind of person he is characterizing. The people who get angry at others for their own failures and problems and refuse to see the logic or gain and self-perspective.
The other Narnian kings are willing to execute him and the readers can easily see why. Rabadash is clearly worthy of death, but Aslan is a wise leader. I think from a leadership perspective, Aslan is the perfect leader. He knows how to deal justice and mercy simultaneously. By turning Rabadash into, essentially, what he was on the inside is the perfect reconciliation between justice and mercy. It is especially humorous when Lewis goes into the history of Rabadash's life. Rabadash was trying to preserve his pride by not being rejected by Susan, but instead he gets defeated, rejected AND turned into a donkey. The people mock him behind his back and being stupid is equal to the phrase "being a second Rabadash" in his own country.
These little witticisms and clever ways of dealing justice are part of the reason that Lewis is one of my favorite authors. Not many writers have such a strong sense of common sense combined with idealistic fantasies. I also think this is why Lewis remains a classic writer even in modernity.
The Idea of the Fear
By: Amy Stello
In On Stories, Lewis writes about the kind of fear which is different from mere life or death suspense. He writes, "Different types of danger strike different types of fears" (page 7). Differentiating these fears which spark the imagination and the human response to the fears which merely get someone excited, Lewis uses them continually with the story The Horse and His Boy.
I found the character of Aslan in The Horse and His Boy to be especially compelling, perhaps more so than any of the other books. I know that is a wide claim, but I suppose it is the fact that he is a constant figure, whereas in the others (with perhaps the exception of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) he seems to only appear at one grand moment and stay in that grand moment. It is also because in The Horse and His Boy, I believe that the statement that "Aslan is good, but not safe" comes to fruition.
Most of the time when Aslan appears is through different types of terror, as Lewis writes in his "On Stories." Each terror for Shasta (and sometimes the others) is completely different and leads the reader to feel different emotions. The first terror is a terror which bonds the children and the horses together. It is almost a humorous terror because both pairs are almost mimicking each other. The presence of the lion is terrifying, but the presence of the other pair (Hwin and Aravis) is almost more captivating.
The other times are interesting metaphors for Aslan and the children. Bree and Aravis get a rude awakening when the lion scratches Aravis and they see Shasta's courage. Aravis learns that the lion was a just ruler, since it was punishment for her cruelty to her servant. Shasta has to learn to trust the lion as he tries to sleep in the dark, unknown of the Tombs and as he has to trust the "Thing" which is near him on the dark, dangerous road leading him to Narnia.
Each of these times inspire different feelings among the reader. Since we are supposed to know and understand that it is Aslan, it makes us reflect upon our own lives and situations that may parallel all the characters' adventures. Lewis is a master at creating these fears to bring out the readers' own imaginations and personal experiences.
In On Stories, Lewis writes about the kind of fear which is different from mere life or death suspense. He writes, "Different types of danger strike different types of fears" (page 7). Differentiating these fears which spark the imagination and the human response to the fears which merely get someone excited, Lewis uses them continually with the story The Horse and His Boy.
I found the character of Aslan in The Horse and His Boy to be especially compelling, perhaps more so than any of the other books. I know that is a wide claim, but I suppose it is the fact that he is a constant figure, whereas in the others (with perhaps the exception of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) he seems to only appear at one grand moment and stay in that grand moment. It is also because in The Horse and His Boy, I believe that the statement that "Aslan is good, but not safe" comes to fruition.
Most of the time when Aslan appears is through different types of terror, as Lewis writes in his "On Stories." Each terror for Shasta (and sometimes the others) is completely different and leads the reader to feel different emotions. The first terror is a terror which bonds the children and the horses together. It is almost a humorous terror because both pairs are almost mimicking each other. The presence of the lion is terrifying, but the presence of the other pair (Hwin and Aravis) is almost more captivating.
The other times are interesting metaphors for Aslan and the children. Bree and Aravis get a rude awakening when the lion scratches Aravis and they see Shasta's courage. Aravis learns that the lion was a just ruler, since it was punishment for her cruelty to her servant. Shasta has to learn to trust the lion as he tries to sleep in the dark, unknown of the Tombs and as he has to trust the "Thing" which is near him on the dark, dangerous road leading him to Narnia.
Each of these times inspire different feelings among the reader. Since we are supposed to know and understand that it is Aslan, it makes us reflect upon our own lives and situations that may parallel all the characters' adventures. Lewis is a master at creating these fears to bring out the readers' own imaginations and personal experiences.
Lewis's "Pictures:" The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
By: Amy Stello
In class, something which really stuck with me while reading the Narnia series was a comment made by Lewis. Lewis apparently had the vision of a faun under a lamppost and that was his "springing off point" for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This was a picture that he had since childhood. This aspect of Lewis's writing really inspires me. It gives me a good idea of how to turn those little pictures in your mind into great stories with whole worlds.
While re-reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I couldn't help but think of all the other beautiful visions that Lewis must have had while writing his Narnia series and his most popular book in the series. Lewis's writing style has something incredibly organic and down-homey while at the same time putting in deep messages about life. Several times within the book, I wondered if Lewis was idealizing times that he had himself. There are two times within the book which made me think that Lewis was recalling some of the most beautiful, simple pleasures in life.
The first time is right at the beginning of the novel when Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus. There is something special about the way the faun is described having a scarf and carrying parcels in the snow. This already adds to the ambiance of a time when life is cozy and happy. They enter into Mr. Tumnus's apartment and it too is the picture of coziness. Two little chairs, lots of books, memories of ancestors, a roaring fire and lots of delicious "tea-time food." At the very end of it all, there are good stories that Mr. Tumnus shares. Everyone who reads that passage wishes he or she were there.
The second similar time is when the children go to the Mr. and Mrs. Beaver's house/dam. I must assume that Lewis had someone in mind when he was writing about the Beavers. When they enter into the dam, they all get the feeling that they are at one of the most delightful, hospitable houses with creatures which have positive outlooks. I can imagine Lewis thinking of the classic Scottish/British farmers who live out in the country and weave knit sweaters for people during their birthdays. Once again, it leaves the readers wishing they had friends like that.
From reading Lewis's stories, I wish that I would have been able to know him. Just from his tones in the books, you can get an idea of what he would have been like in real life. He truly is one of the most beloved authors.
In class, something which really stuck with me while reading the Narnia series was a comment made by Lewis. Lewis apparently had the vision of a faun under a lamppost and that was his "springing off point" for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This was a picture that he had since childhood. This aspect of Lewis's writing really inspires me. It gives me a good idea of how to turn those little pictures in your mind into great stories with whole worlds.
While re-reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I couldn't help but think of all the other beautiful visions that Lewis must have had while writing his Narnia series and his most popular book in the series. Lewis's writing style has something incredibly organic and down-homey while at the same time putting in deep messages about life. Several times within the book, I wondered if Lewis was idealizing times that he had himself. There are two times within the book which made me think that Lewis was recalling some of the most beautiful, simple pleasures in life.
The first time is right at the beginning of the novel when Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus. There is something special about the way the faun is described having a scarf and carrying parcels in the snow. This already adds to the ambiance of a time when life is cozy and happy. They enter into Mr. Tumnus's apartment and it too is the picture of coziness. Two little chairs, lots of books, memories of ancestors, a roaring fire and lots of delicious "tea-time food." At the very end of it all, there are good stories that Mr. Tumnus shares. Everyone who reads that passage wishes he or she were there.
The second similar time is when the children go to the Mr. and Mrs. Beaver's house/dam. I must assume that Lewis had someone in mind when he was writing about the Beavers. When they enter into the dam, they all get the feeling that they are at one of the most delightful, hospitable houses with creatures which have positive outlooks. I can imagine Lewis thinking of the classic Scottish/British farmers who live out in the country and weave knit sweaters for people during their birthdays. Once again, it leaves the readers wishing they had friends like that.
From reading Lewis's stories, I wish that I would have been able to know him. Just from his tones in the books, you can get an idea of what he would have been like in real life. He truly is one of the most beloved authors.
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