Reason and Imagination in C.S. Lewis: A Study of Till We Have FacesThe first study of C.S. Lewis to offer a detailed examination of "Till We Have Faces," Peter J. Schakel's book is also the first to explore the tension between reason and imagination that significantly shaped Lewis' thinking and writing. Schakel begins with a close analysis of "Till We Have Faces" which leads the readers through the plot, clarifying its themes and it discusses structure, symbols and allusions. The second part of the book surveys Lewis' works, tracing the tension between reason and imagination. In the works of the thirties and forties reason is in the ascendant; from the early fifties on, in works such as the Chronicles of Narnia, there is an increased emphasis on imagination - which culminates in the fine "myth retold," "Till We Have Faces." Imagination and reason are reconciled, finally in the works of the early sixties such as "A Grief Observed" and "Letters to Malcolm." PETER J. SCHAKEL is Professor of English at Hope College, Holland, MI. "This book is what Lewis scholarship ought to be. It is the most thoughtful, careful Lewis study yet." - Peter Kreeft "Reason and Imagination" is a remarkable achievement, literary criticism that is both wise and moving." - Margaret Hannay "Peter Schakel brings to C. S. Lewis scholarship what has often been lacking, namely rigorous scholarly method and real critical detachment. His study of "Till We Have Faces" is a major contribution to Lewis studies." - Thomas Howard |
Contents
Methods Motives | 9 |
Of Divine Mysteries and Sacrifice | 19 |
Love and Longing | 27 |
Copyright | |
5 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
accept appears approach asks attempts attention beauty Became become begins believe bring C. S. Lewis central Chapter character Christianity comes criticism death desire divine dream Dymer earlier early element emphasis Essays existence experience Faces fact feel follows Geoffrey Bles give gods Greek human ideas images imagination important King knowledge later less Letters Lewis's literary live London longing look Malcolm meaning mind mountain myth nature never objective offer Orual Pain perhaps Pilgrim's Regress poem present Press Priest Problem of Pain Psyche Psyche's rational reader reading reality reason reflects relation religion reprinted says seems sense shows Spirits story subjective suggests Surprised symbol tale talks tell theme things thought Till true truth turns understanding Ungit University veil Walter Hooper whole writing York