C S Lewis

Today is the birthday of C S Lewis. Any English major who has a knowledge of 20th century English writers probably knows C. S. Lewis. Lewis wrote a series of children's books set during WWII in England. The books were set out in the country and involved children who were sent out into the country to avoid the blitz in London. Lewis used this setting for an allegorical tale which retold the Christian gospel through animals and mythological creatures and children. It is similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's Ring stories, but is probably more openly Christian than Tolkien's stories. My wife might disagree with that.

Lewis and Tolkien were contemporaries and colleagues in Cambridge. They were members of a group called the 'Inklings.' The American version of this group probably would be the 'Fugitives' from Vanderbilt University, although the Fugitives were not expressly Christian. But both groups came up about the same time and were supporting of each other and produced some mighty writers.

When I was in college, I read a book by C. S. Lewis for a literature of the supernatural seminar I took as a freshman. At that point, the Tolkien books were cultish and I really didn't like that type of fantasy literature. Cindy would kill me but I have never read any of Tolkien's books. I have read quite a few of Lewis's offerings.

Of course, Lewis wrote a ton of Christian apologetics. Lewis was close to John Stuart Mill in the sense that he really took things very seriously. I remember a story that one of my professors told about John Stuart Mill. Apparently, his father raised him as a Utilitarian and wouldn't allow him to experience anything influence which didn't have a utilitarian use. Mill was only allowed the pleasure of music. Everything else was forbidden him.

However, as a teenager, Mill realized that since there were only a finite number of notes that his one source of pleasure was also finite. He had a breakdown and broke with utilitarianism. Unfortunately for Mill the blues and jazz weren't invented. I think the creativity of blues and jazz might have perked him up a bit.

Of course, I think I might be tempted to say to Mill, "Get over it!"

Lewis shared a lot of Mill's seriousness about such things. I think a sense of humor is very important. Comedy will ride you over a lot of life's bumps. Remember that Kate.

But you knew that already. Read Aristophanes and Sophocles. You can learn a lot.