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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:36 am |
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The Space Trilogy: Is it a Grownup Chronicles of Narnia?
I will be the first to admit it: when I turned 21, I felt I had graduated from reading
the Chronicles of Narnia, and was now allowed, in some metaphysical way, to read
The Space Trilogy. While the first two books did overwhelm me, the third, That
Hideous Strength, arrested me. It was a scenario of "could happen". The chilling
reality of being among those "in the know" and being disdainful of those "who are
not", revealed how deeply the first great sin of pride was rooted in me. There was
no Aslan to rescue me. I was left naked before the great and terrible prophet Merlin
who weighed me in the balance and found me wanting.
I have never forgotten the moment I read of the carnage taking place in that third
book and thinking: "How much have I longed to be among the 'in' crowd without
realizing the cost to my soul?"
Gripping experience, that was.
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GoodSam
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 16 Sep 2006
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 17
Location: Colorado, USA
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 6:48 am |
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I have not yet read "That Hideous Strength", but on your reccomendation, Parm, I'll have to get to it very soon.
So far, I loved the new Garden of Eden story in Perelandra. The Weston as evil incarnate was a convincing character. I agonized with Dr. Ransom as he tried to protect the new Eve.
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Magic
Last Visited: 18 Dec 2007
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Indiana, in the middle of a cornfield, most likely in my office
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 7:11 am |
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I tried to read The Space Trilogy when I was in middle school, but just couldn't get through the first couple of chapters. I haven't gotten back to it since. I take it that you think it's a worthwhile read?
Riel
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GoodSam
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 16 Sep 2006
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 17
Location: Colorado, USA
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 11:18 am |
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I found
Out of the Silent Planet
pretty slow. There were a couple of interesting ideas in it, but the landscape, and inhabitants of the place were not all that interesting.
Perelandra
on the other hand was incredible!
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PatriotBlade
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 05 Sep 2010
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 1429
Location: My Own Crazy Mixed Up World
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 10:06 pm |
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I tried to read them and was barely able to finish the first one. Now I can't even remember much about it. It was interesting, but difficult to read.
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merlin
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 22 Apr 2008
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Lancashire England
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 12:34 pm |
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I am really surprised that anyone should have difficulty reading 'Out of the Silent Planet'. I have just finished reading it for the umpteenth time and am looking forward to starting Perelandra later this evening. Out of.... is a fairly simplistic scifi story: very unsophisticated by to-day's standards yet it has a charm of its own. The early part of the story gives an insight into Jack's own pleasure in walking. I feel that the three different Knau inhabitants of Mars are an attempt to present an ideal society with all the problems of our own world sorted out. Perhaps it is a little naive but a brave attempt. He even simplifies sex! Perelandra is of course a much deeper book and the opening is quite creepy to say the least. In many ways the third of the trilogy is the hardest to reading and I believe that the book received quite a lot of critisism when it was first published. Still I think that all three books are excellent in different ways and would recomend them to anyone who has not read them yet.
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 2:09 pm |
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I am very glad that merlin, among others, enjoy the Space Trilogy. I, too,
sensed the kind of pleasures Dr. Lewis felt with "the walk". Both Lewis
and Tolkien seem have enjoyed a delicious glee in creating new worlds for us.
Christmas 2003, my father-in-law (who passed away Easter 2004) gave me a massive volume called
A Dictionary of Imaginary Worlds
, and it was a delight to read, especially the entries I found about C.S. Lewis and worlds he created.
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Lady of Logres
Just Arrived
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 01 Sep 2004
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 6
Location: England
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:15 am |
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I first read the Space Trilogy in my early 20's and I admit that I found it quite hard going to start with. Once I persevered, however, I came to regard it as one of my favourite writings of C.S. Lewis and have re read it many times.
I agree with Merlin, that 'Out of the Silent Planet' is very unsophisticated by todays standards, but as Merlin also suggests, there are so many endearing and illuminating touches in it. I particularly liked the description and characters of the Hross and the Sorn...like Ransom in 'Perelandra "..I loved the furry people I met in Malacandra, that old world."
'Perelandra' itself I found the most difficult to read..but absolutely amazing with some profound passages. I think the struggle in the first chapter says a lot about the rest of the book. And I have had more than a few 'Perelandra chapter one moments' in my life, so I can relate to it well!! I often used to read of Ransoms' struggle with the Un- man and wonder how well I would have fared in his situation.....not very well, I think.!
'That Hideous Strength' is very different, although it still features the central character and theme. I didn't find it as hard to read as the others..it is comparatively long..( not like LotR! )..and has some rather disturbing elements to it. Not to everyone's taste, of course.....but it is good! Then again, I am 'old' and 'English', so the setting almost seems like home to me.
I initialy found the Space Trilogy harder to read than 'The Screwtape Letters' and 'The Great Divorce',...but maybe others have found different ?
LoL
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LadyAravis
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 05 Sep 2005
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 39
Location: Narnia and Middle Earth, the lands of Tolkien and Lewis, Oklahoma, and RIGHT BEHIND YOU...
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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:58 pm |
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I liked the first two of the Space Trilogy, but the third was a bit too hard. Not the reading level, but the tenseness of it, and the grimness of it was hard to digest. I'll probaly read it again when I'm older, still being a teen and all. I love the Screwtape letters. The humor of it cleverly disguises truths of ourselves that we could not really face otherwise. I have not read any of his other fiction, except, of course, TCON.
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Waxwing
At the Lamppost
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 22 Nov 2006
Joined: 07 Sep 2004
Posts: 87
Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 11:03 am |
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It's been a few years since I read the Space Trilogy, and I can only hazily remember them, but I definitely remember my reactions to them.
I found
Out of the Silent Planet
the most simplistic, and
That Hideous Strength
the most moving of the three... but one has to read all three to understand the whole.
I need to read them again. *writes note to dig them out of storage...*
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Alliance: None
Last Visited: 17 Oct 2004
Joined: 08 Sep 2004
Posts: 8
Location: Michigan
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Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 5:32 pm |
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I have recently been re-reading the trilogy after many years. I enjoyed Out of the Silent Planet and the early parts of Perelandra. Somewhere along the way, Perelandra became - I don't know - difficult. Heavy sort of. Still it's stimulating for the mind and heart. I just finished it last night.
Next up - That Hideous Strength! I may wait awhile though. 
Brisco
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GoodSam
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 16 Sep 2006
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Posts: 17
Location: Colorado, USA
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2004 5:50 am |
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I'm planning to read aloud sections of The Space Trilogy to my literature students this semester. There are days when I cannot get to sleep thinking
how much fun the next day is going to be when we start on another
literary adventure.
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merlin
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: None
Last Visited: 22 Apr 2008
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Lancashire England
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 2:06 pm |
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Perelandra
I have also just finished Perelandra for the umpteenth time and am going to start 'That Hideous Strength' (full version) to-night. Perelandra always takes me through an easy indentifiable series of emotions. At the beginning there is creepy anticipation then wonder at the description of Venus, then extreme anger at the actions of 'Weston' and finally awe at the superbly written though esoteric climax. It is a brilliant book and I see something new every time I read it.
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Solosimpe
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 25 Aug 2010
Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 3151
Location: I wonder as I wander....
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 2:21 pm |
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Hello all, I'm new here! I have read the Space Trilogy several times, and I must say that I like Perelandra the best of the three. I have probably read That Hideous Strength the least amount of times, perhaps 2-3 due to the fact that the first half is a bit hard to get through. Once you do though, it's got a lot in it to pore over. I tried to read it when I was a teenager and had to quit, but when I was older I was glad that I had gone back to it!
I don't know if any of you know the story behind the origins of Out of the Silent Planet~ Tolkien and Lewis apparently had an agreement that one of them would do a book about time travel and one would write about space travel. Well Lewis's book is pretty well known, and Tolkien's is unfinished, hence it's place in the Lost Tales book. Quite good though I think, it's one of those long trailing tales.
As far as I guess, perhaps he was not intending on writing any more after the first one, and it just came about? I know that he did not expect to write 7 Narnia books, but they just kept coming. Interestingly enough, you could probably look at the space trilogy as: 1, an innocent and old world, 2, a new endangered (tempted) world, and 3, a middle aged, fallen, redeemed (for those who would accept it) world at war.
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 5:50 am |
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A warm welcome to Solosimpe  ! I am known by others as "Parm".
I appreciate your analysis, and I am grateful for a perspective that I had
not previously considered. More and more, I realize that one of the great
aspects of appreciating any kind of literature is listening to (reading) the
insights of others. Thank you for taking the time to explain yours.
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Solosimpe
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 25 Aug 2010
Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 3151
Location: I wonder as I wander....
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 5:09 pm |
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Thanks for the welcome! This has got to be one of the best messageboards I've been on for people respecting each other.
Sorry for going off the topic slightly there:)
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:10 am |
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Ah, going off topic is one of the things that happens in conversations all
the time. We seem to forgive such a thing among good friends, and so I
do not see why the concord that we enjoy in the worlds beyond this should
not also be found here.
Forgive me, though, for not having a deeper post. I have just received
word about the resignation of a colleague, and it has cast everything into
great disarray and confusion. I think I may be gone from here for at
least a week or so in order to sort out all that has happened. I am truly
distressed at this news! I keep wondering if I could have done anything to
have prevented this from happening!
Over and over these words pound in my mind; "That I, befriend in far off land, yet miss the brother near at hand."
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Salean
Scribe
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 09 Dec 2005
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Posts: 390
Location: England
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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2004 11:38 am |
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I have just finished reading the Space Trilogy. I found the first one easier to read. I found that they got harder to read as they went along. I got a bit confused in The Hideous Strength and may have to reread it. I think that I liked Malachandra (I'm too tired to check if that is spelt right.) I'm not entirely sure why, it just appeals to me. I like the whole story on Prelandra, where its like the begginings of our world all over again. I thought that was a very clever idea.
Solosimpe- I agree with you on that one!
I'm sure it wasn't your fault Parm.
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Solosimpe
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 25 Aug 2010
Joined: 15 Sep 2004
Posts: 3151
Location: I wonder as I wander....
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 7:17 am |
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Yeah, as I said, I found that I needed to wait awhile and then re-read That Hideous Strength. It's partly a commentary on social issues...being in the "in" crowd, then getting into the "inner group," at last only to find how it's worthless, and that the people are no more intelligent than anyone else. In this case they are evil. Another point I think that was made is that in every generation there is another manifestation of the same evil... While it may seem different, or new, it is the same evil that helped to cause the fall of Mankind. Or maybe that's a point made by the overall series? Or maybe I'm just projecting my ideas into the books.... I hope this doesn't make it sound like a book that focuses on social issues... There is definitely a certain fairy tale quality to it, especially the second half. Lewis compared the beginning to old fairy tales, in that a woodcutter and his daughter would be the embodiment of normal life back then...and so he explains that fairy tales start with a normal setting, and then get more and more fantastic. Of course you could read all this in the introduction to the book...
To Parm, I'm sorry to hear about your colleague, and I hope that you will be able to find some peace of mind amidst all the confusion..
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Last edited by Solosimpe on Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2004 10:05 pm |
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While I was able to reach "scribe", it was done flat on my back. The last
few days have been wretched. I have done a lot vertical reflecting, a.k.a
prayer, and realize that while it was not in the least my fault, the fact that
the problem happened at all was a stern reminder to our staff that none
of us is an island unto ourselves. Strange that with all those literary
people about, no one remembered Donne's words on that subject
centuries ago. We all, here, have much to do to shore up the ruins
created.
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Salean
Scribe
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 09 Dec 2005
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Posts: 390
Location: England
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Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2004 9:46 am |
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I think I see what you're getting at Solosimpe (Solo?). I think that the whole wanting to be with the 'in-crowd' is a big theme in the book.
You put that in a very nice way Parm. I know what you mean.
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:17 am |
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My literature students asked me if Lewis also disliked allegory as Tolkien
did. I replied, that Lewis wrote a very complex book called The Pilgrim's
Regress, and uses the allegorical model in there. I also cautioned them
that is was not a Saturday afternoon kind of read, but something one
does with lots of tea nearby, and something to munch on...to keep your
strength up! It is a tough, tough, book!
...we may need a thread for that, if my comment here about it expands!
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Salean
Scribe
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 09 Dec 2005
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Posts: 390
Location: England
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Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 3:32 am |
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This is a conversation between me and my Dad a few weeks ago.
Dad: What are you reading?
Salean: The Space Trilogy. Have you read them?
Dad: No, I was going to though.
Salean: I've nearly finished The Hideous Strength, you can read them if you like.
Dad: *hesitates*
Salean: They're kind of hard to get through, but you're a lot older than me, you should cope.
Dad: Is that a challenge?
Salean:  might be.....
Dad: Well then, I think I will.
And this morning....
Salean: What are you reading at the moment?
Dad: Voyage to Venus
Salean:  Still? Oh, but you've probably been reading other stuff right?
Dad: Well no as a matter of fact.......
Salean:
Well, it wasn't surprising, he couldn't get through LotR!!!!!!!!!!
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Bandobras Took
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: Darkness
Last Visited: 27 Jun 2005
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 42
Location: Sacramento, California
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:24 am |
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It has been a long time since I read C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy.
Some impressions of that reading include being a bit disturbed by it, perhaps because some of the story was so frightening and alien.
I shall have to go and re-read these novels and assess them again.
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:41 pm |
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Good Bandobras, when you have finished your journey through these
worlds, we hope you will return to us and show us the photos, which is to
say, that we hope you will tell your thoughts from the books.
I, too, and planning to take off soon with those books over the winter
break. My copies are secured and waiting to be enjoyed.
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~Buttercup~
Scribe
Alliance: Darkness
Last Visited: 31 Mar 2006
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 177
Location: *Canada* wishing I was in Narnia
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:13 pm |
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Well, I haven't read the books at all...ever. But this forum has definately piqued my interest. Over the Christmas break I want to read as much of Lewis' works as possible. I call myself a CS Lewis fan, but really I've only ever read the Chronicles of Narnia and a couple chapters of
Mere Christianity
back in my highschool philosophy class.
I think it's time to change all that. Some of your descriptions of it being a hard read is slightly discouraging, but that's what some of my acquaintences told me about
Crime and Punishment
but when I read it I thought it was quite easy and now I love it! I know they're different works, but the point is I must decide for myself.
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Magic
Last Visited: 18 Dec 2007
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Indiana, in the middle of a cornfield, most likely in my office
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:47 am |
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Crime and Punishment
? Good grief! I haven't read The Space Trilogy, but somebody please tell me it's an easier read than that infernal book. (I had to read it in 10th grade, it was not a good experience)
Riel
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Bandobras Took
Stumbled Through the Wardrobe
Alliance: Darkness
Last Visited: 27 Jun 2005
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 42
Location: Sacramento, California
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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:51 am |
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Good Bandobras, when you have finished your journey through these
worlds, we hope you will return to us and show us the photos, which is to
say, that we hope you will tell your thoughts from the books.
My new project is at hand! 
I shall re-read these books and try my best to assess them. 
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~Buttercup~
Scribe
Alliance: Darkness
Last Visited: 31 Mar 2006
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 177
Location: *Canada* wishing I was in Narnia
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Magic
Last Visited: 18 Dec 2007
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Indiana, in the middle of a cornfield, most likely in my office
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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:24 pm |
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I read
The Scarlet Letter
in school too. It would have been better if my teacher hadn't jammed the symbolism down my throat. I had the same problem with
Wuthering Heights
. I guess having a book torn to pieces by my teachers has never a good recommendation for me. What can I say?
Riel
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:46 am |
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I remember many a difficult afternoon trying to rouse sagging interests in
the Scarlet Letter. However, once I suggested that they cast themselves
into those roles, it was a lot of fun to watch the interactions. I was even
cast as Dimmsdale. Now, as for the Space Trilogy, there are days when
I feel less like Ransom and more like...well, the other nefarious people
who slither into the picture.
I had to fail a student today. Grim, grim, grim... 
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Magic
Last Visited: 18 Dec 2007
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Indiana, in the middle of a cornfield, most likely in my office
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Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 9:27 am |
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Poor Parm! We don't think you're nefarious. You weren't trying to fail anyone and you did your best, but there's only so much one person can do. Hope you get some splendid students to grade soon!
Riel
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
Alliance: Narnia
Last Visited: 06 Sep 2010
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 2632
Location: Kizugawa-shi, Japan
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Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:49 am |
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It is sometimes the nature of people of 'sanguine' temperaments to
completely ignore all the brilliant, wonderful, splendid things that have
happened in a class, and focus, with telescopic fixedness, upon one,
singular event or moment that goes contrary to the other positive ones.
I sat for a good long while, staring at the F I have to write on that student's
report. The work was, well, far below mediocre. The test was lacklusterly
taken, and only by constant encouragement did any classroom participation take place. Over and over, I kept thinking..."Could I have done more?" So, with the sheet in hand, I walked over to visit a colleague.
It was agreed I had been fair; the student deserved the grade...but oh,
we both looked at in and each other and felt the sadness of having to do it. Giving that F reminds me over and over, that people can choose their
disasters as well as have them fall upon them. In this case, it was not
merely one choice, but several, throughout the semester. The consequences will not be pleasant. The parents will, no doubt, call. We are
ready. I am ready, but for every Christmas, there is the bitter reminder of
Herod's horror. The manger gives way to Golgotha; but Sunday's
a-comin' ! I hope there will be an Easter for my student.
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
Alliance: The Magic
Last Visited: 18 Dec 2007
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Posts: 1128
Location: Indiana, in the middle of a cornfield, most likely in my office
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Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:46 am |
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In that case I guess all that I can do is encourage you to remember all the students that have been motivated. Each student is responsible for success or failure. There's only so much a teacher can do. For those who succeed the teacher that helped them is owed an immeasurable date. (for those that don't a debt is still owed, but it's not likely they'll realize it) I know this from experience. It wasn't an english teacher, but my high school chemistry teacher is the reason that I've gone on to major in chemistry and am getting ready to apply to graduate school. I'm sure you have students that have had that experience.  And in other cases, no one's beyond redemption. There's always another chance.
I guess what I'm trying to do is cheer you up. I don't know if it's very effective, but I had to try.
Riel
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Thewhitetree
Scribe
Alliance: The Written Word
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Posts: 340
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:49 am |
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Forgive me for being an ignorant fool, but...
I never read the Space Trilogy nor heard of it til now. I read Narnia becasue my mother thought it would be good reading for me (boy was she right) and never read anything other than the 7 books of Narnia.
I read the first few posts here but read no farther for fear of spoiling what I will read. There is no doubt now that I will read The Space trilogy, but would someone be so kind as to describe in a few words what the books are about (without spoilers)?
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Salean
Scribe
Alliance: The Written Word
Last Visited: 09 Dec 2005
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Location: England
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Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:10 am |
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Well I would, but I don't really have any time. When I was first a member of this site I saw this thread and decided to read these books because I hadn't heard of them before. I found them on my bookshelf and I began to read them.
Anyway...
Sal
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Thewhitetree
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2004 4:04 pm |
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That was informative!
That's OK. I wil read them eventually. I have so many books on my plate right now...
I was just curious about their content. Is it allegorious (is that a word)? like CoN?
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:46 pm |
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I haven't read the trilogy, but from what I understand it is highly allegorical. I wonder if I could pick up a copy at the bookstore tomorrow.
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Salean
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:19 am |
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They are highly allegorical.
You can see the links with Christianity very obviously.
Especially in Voyage to Venus, I found.
Sal
p.s.-TWT, I'm not really a very informative person......
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Solosimpe
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Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:30 am |
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I have to make this quick, as I have to leave in a minute. Yes, I guess you could say they are allegorical, but I'd rather say that they contain little analogies. You can't say, "well so and so represents the concept of thus and such." Well you could...
OK, basically they are about a character who's a don at oxford or whatever, and he gets involved with interplanetary travel, at first quite by chance...
After the first book, I think it gets a lot more intense as far as the content.
Very imaginative stuff, with bits of mythology thrown in like a spice into a savoury stew...
Sal, I was wondering why you call it Voyage to Venus? Mine just says Peralandra.
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prmiller
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 2:39 pm |
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There are so many literary terms to learn in school that sometimes we
need little nudges to keep them all right.
When we talk of an "allegory", we need to be a bit careful that we do not
confuse it with something like a parable...which is not an allegory, but
a story with a central point.
The allegory is a form of an extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative or the story itself. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. In that way, this person
"represents" an abstract quality.
However, in the Space Trilogies, there are many "allusions" or references
to concepts, stories, even plays on names which are sometimes used
as metaphors.
Thus an allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.
Unlike Tolkien, Lewis seemed to enjoy the allegory. So much so, in fact,
that we have the Pilgrim's Regress, a true allegory for our times, where
there is a one-to-one relationship between the name and the concept.
Now, there may be an "allegorical quality" about the Space Trilogy, but
we need to tread cautiously and be hesitant to called it "allegorical".
Well, now. Notebooks away?
Very well, class dismissed...a.hem.
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Last edited by prmiller on Mon Jan 17, 2005 8:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Solosimpe
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:10 pm |
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Thanks Prof!
I always get allegory and analogy mixed up. But yeah, I think he even says in the intro or something that he's not meaning any of the characters to represent anyone... Though, I think many have qualities that we recognize in others. So yeah, a parable might be a good way to describe it. A long parable, but I don't think there's a limit 
Or rather, it contains little parables inside the bigger story? I dunno, I'm too tired to think right now 
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Istarriel
At the Bird and the Baby
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:46 pm |
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Oooops, so sorry Parm. Thank's for the reminder. It's been quite a few years since I've had an english class and my head has been crammed full of other things that crowd out literary terms.
Riel
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prmiller
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Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 8:11 am |
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Always glad to be of help.
When I need the oil changed in my car, I think Ik now some people in here I can nudge for some advice.
...or is that in TORC?
...Oh, dear. The first traces of memory dysfunction...
and you are?
I want to say...Bill.
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Thewhitetree
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:02 am |
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I was going to say something similar to what Parm said, (without the professory voice ).
In most stories you can find content that can be related to religeon or situations in daily life, that does not mean that they are allegory. There are many elements of LOTR that could be likened to Biblical passages but we know that they were not writen like that because of the author's wishes.
I'm sure upon reading Space Triloge one could find many things that are comparable to biblical evens like in CoN, but maybe they all weren't written to be taken that way.
Allegory is a tricky thing.
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Sojourner
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Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:37 am |
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Within perelandra(the space trilogy) I belive Lewis wrote with the purpose of it being symbolical of biblical passages
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prmiller
Scribe of Cair Paravel
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:12 pm |
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Soj.
I like the term 'symbolic/al' very much. It is a term one can
enjoy using with much aplomb.
"The Mont Blanc fountain pen he uses is a symbol of his need to be
more formal than the rest. Others use Bics to sign documents. Not our
protagonist...He must use his Mont Blanc."
Oh, yes...lots of fun!
Perelandra
, is a novel of symbols. The cruelty shown to the
creatures on the planet, the whole appearance of Winston and Ransom...
all have a symbolic cant to them, if we really let go.
However, there is always balance.
For example, in grad school we were assigned a reading about the
symbolism attached to the story of the Good Samaritan by a 5th-
century writer. "The donkey is a symbol of..., the road is a symbol of...,
the coins use are a symbol of..." Whew! The only thing left without a
symbol was the symbolism of all the symbols!
Hmm...come think of it...
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Tinidril
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Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 6:54 pm |
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The Space Trilogy is my favorite of Lewis' books that I've read, and Perelandra is my favorite of the three (hence the screenname!) I had the opportunity to write a short essay on the trilogy as a representation of the way I see myself in the world. But oddly enough, Parm, I don't feel it's a grown-up Chronicles of Narnia. Maybe it'd be best if I didn't say this here but I was never a huge fan of Narnia, even as a kid... I haven't read the books in a decade so I'm planning on re-reading them and seeing if I can't convince myself otherwise. But I first read Out of the Silent Planet at... I believe it was thirteen, and Perelandra at fourteen, and That Hideous Strength I'm sure I finished before I was sixteen. And I don't think I had any trouble understanding it or anything it represented. But I was a precocious child. I remember my father encouraged me to read it... maybe that's why I felt as though I was "allowed", even though they were more "adult" than the Narnia books.
Have I bored you all yet?
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prmiller
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:49 am |
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Not bored at all Tinidril! It was an insight I had not considered and do appreciated knowing. My one nagging concern is that unlike the Chronicles books, I have not seen too many reprintings of this trilogy. I have a rather psychedelic version, but wonder if there have been recent reprints. My heart would sink knowing that this series of books is going the way of the dodo.
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