“How Fiction Can Powerfully Inform the Practical Application of Truth, Part One” or, for those who prefer a less academic title, “Dang, C.S. Lewis was Smart”

My local book group is currently reading C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy, and last week I hosted our discussion of Perelandra, the second book in the series. I read the trilogy fifteen-or-so years ago, but I’d forgotten enough that I looked forward to approaching the books again with fresh eyes.

In fact, my memory of Perelandra called up a rather odd assortment of details. I knew (as the back cover copy states) that it was “a sharp, sophisticated fantasy dealing with an old problem--temptation--in a new world.” I remembered that the story was set on Venus (Perelandra) during Lewis’ contemporary time (he’s actually a character in the story), and that the main character, Ransom, was transported to Perelandra by angelic beings he encountered on Mars (Malacandra) in the first book.

I remembered random facts--the Woman’s nickname for Ransom and why she gave it, Dr. Weston’s cruel and senseless mutilation of the frogs, and the wound Ransom receives. Beyond that, most of the specifics had been buried under other information in the disorganized, overstuffed file cabinet of my brain.

As I plunged in this time around, I fully expected a good read (I mean, hello, it’s C.S. Lewis), but I was in no way prepared for what happened. Perelandra turned my life upside down.

The plot basically answers this question: “What would happen if God created reasoning beings on another planet and gave them the same opportunity Adam and Eve had in the garden?” Except, in this case, The Fall has already happened on Earth, The Cross stands as a turning point not only in our world but in all the cosmos, and Satan (The Bent One) is determined to thwart God’s desire to establish perfection and experience unhindered fellowship in a new world.

Enter into this scenario two humans, one on each side of the conflict. Instead of a serpent, Satan enlists Dr. Weston, a brilliant but amoral physicist who is convinced he has been “chosen” and is “guided” by a supreme spiritual force that transcends the Bible in determining truth and goodness. The demon-possessed Dr. Weston (the Un-man) relentlessly pursues his all-too-familiar goal: convince the woman to disobey God (Maleldil) and thereby consign this curse-free world to sin, brokenness, corruption, and death. Ransom, who’d been sent without an explanation of why, realizes his mission is to try and stop that from happening.

Lewis taps into his vast knowledge of theology, philosophy, mythology, astrology, literature, history, and science, then sets his imagination free to explore their implications in an invented world. And (I will not be jealous) he makes that process appear effortless. Perelandra is filled with stunning insights. It’s like a theological diamond mine, and yet the profusion of sparkling gems never detracts from the narrative. On the contrary, it provides such realistic tension, you believe you’re right there with Ransom, floating on a Venusian land mat with a guileless green woman, a grotesquely possessed former human (think “the bug in an Edgar suit” from Men in Black), and an assortment of fantastical plants and animals.

I’d love to quote a number of passages from the book and share how they instructed and convicted me, but for sake of space, I’ll summarize. Without ever offending point of view--I tell you, the man was brilliant--Lewis through Ransom examines the intricacies of temptation--not only its existence, but the ways we rationalize submitting to it. We’re so accustomed to living with lust, gluttony, overindulgence, and possessiveness, we’re amazed with Ransom at their hideous aspect when he catches himself trying to assert these vices in a world that has never experienced sin. 

Through Ransom we experience a fresh perspective on the pervasiveness of “little” sins in our lives, but through the woman’s innocent faith in Maleldil’s goodness, we see our craven failure to trust God. Lewis takes it to the very core. For example, when she’s beginning to understand the concept of disappointment, she explains it like this: “You could send your soul after the good you had expected, instead of turning it to the good you had got. You could refuse the real good.”

Am I the only one who thinks that statement holds life-changing implications? But that’s not the part that turned my life upside down. I’m getting there.

In a series of chilling conversations, the Un-man methodically chips away at the woman’s innocence. First he suggests she question why Maleldil has forbidden her and the man to spend a night on the Fixed Island. Then, when she confesses she doesn’t know why, only that they mustn’t do it, he insists she demand to see the good in the commandment before she consents to obey it. Some days he tries to shift her focus from Maleldil to her own beauty and pleasure--to make good gifts into idols. Others he appeals to her sense of nobility but twists the notion to introduce an element of superiority. It’s all there--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the boastful pride of life. The contortion of simple commands to make them complicated and confusing. The calling into question of Maleldil’s desires and motives.

Lewis does a great job of portraying the woman as intelligent but entirely pure. She entertains the Un-man’s ideas because she’s never had a reason not to listen to anything being said to her. Though Ransom tries to counter all the lies, the woman has no reason to trust one of them over the other. She’s never encountered debate, never required discernment. But occasionally the Un-man pushes too far. When he invites her to “make a story” about living on the Fixed Island--to imagine herself doing the forbidden thing--she says, “If I try to make a story about living on the Fixed Island, I do not know how to make it about Maleldil. For if I make it that He has changed His command, that will not do. And if I make it that we are living there against His command, that is like making the sky all black and the water so that we cannot drink it and the air so that we cannot breathe it. But also, I do not see what is the pleasure of trying to make these things.”  

This particular response was the one that turned my world upside down. It wasn’t a new revelation of truth, but rather a profound sense that something is very wrong with a core truth's practical application. In my life. And in the church.

That’s what I plan to explore two weeks from now in “How Fiction Can Powerfully Inform the Practical Application of Truth, Part Two.”  (And the crowd yells, “Goody Gumdrops!”) Until then . . .

Jeanne Damoff is turning to the real good she has got and will not refuse it. She wishes no less for you.

Comments

[Mary DeMuth]

5 Golden stars for the title alone, Jeannkins!

Brilliant post. I have a crush on your mind.

[Lori Stanley Roeleveld]

C.S.Lewis seems, to me, the embodiment of the verse "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks (writes?)". His writing comes from deep inside his relationship with God and flows from his mind, his heart, his gut, his soul. I would not wish away two weeks of my life (I'm old enough!) but I cannot wait to read part 2. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

[Steph @Red Clay Diaries]

LURV this. And now I feel compelled to go read the Space Trilogy again.

You made it so meaningful Jeanne! I look forward to the next installment.

[Bonnie Gray]

"Lewis taps into his vast knowledge of theology, philosophy, mythology, astrology, literature, history, and science, then sets his imagination free to explore their implications in an invented world.

Jeanne, I can't agree more. Is there any other fictional writer who has woven theology so intricately into the fabric of his stories, that we can miss their practical implications?

Each time I read Lewis, I find myself often stopping amidst a scene, to ponder what new revelation he has hiding under the wrappings of character and dialogue from a magical world.

Looking forward to Part II.

[Rosslyn]

Great post! Perelandra was a life-changing read for me, over ten years ago. Thanks for encouraging others to take a look.

[Heather]

I'm assuming you know of the opera (http://www.perelandraproject.org/). What story isn't made better by song and dance? ;)

[Billy Coffey]

Perelandra is one of my favorite books. Lewis awes me. This post does, too.

[Madison Richards]

Jeanne,

You never cease to inspire me to read new books, and this is no exception! I've not read the space trilogy - wouldn't normally be attracted to that type of backdrop. But I do love Lewis, and am awed by his ability to weave truth and story into one cohesive, edge of your heart, tip of your brain adventure. Thanks for this wonderful post - I'm off to the library!!

Love,
Madison

[Jeanne Damoff]

Thanks for the super supportive comments, everyone. In the second installment I'll bare my guts to the world. It will be a lot harder to write, so prayers are appreciated.

Mary, thanks for the golden stars. I'm placing them on my resume. (Also, my brain is flattered and wanted me to let you know it's available this weekend.)

Lori, I'm honored by your kind words and sincerely hope I don't let you down two weeks from now. Thanks so much!

Steph, Bonnie, and Rosslyn, thanks for the votes of confidence. Lewis is truly amazing. He inspires me to pursue excellence in faith, knowledge, and craft. What a gift to the literary world.

Heather, I was not aware of the opera. Fascinating! Song and dance most assuredly make the world go round, but I admit I was disappointed they didn't photoshop that picture and make her green.

Thanks, Billy. Mutual fandom is fun. :)

Madison, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Thanks again, everyone. Have a fabulous weekend.
Love, Jeanne

[Geography Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!