“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” — C.S. Lewis
Lewis gets pulled under the “Christian” umbrella far too often. I mean yes he was a Christian but wasn’t a far-right nincompoop either.
Both he and JR Tolkien were contemporaries who shared a faith. The main difference between the two was Tolkien specifically didn’t write allegorically while Lewis did.
contemporaries (noun) - All the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age. (Similar: coevals generation)
contemporary (adjective) - Belonging to the same period of time. - Of about the same age. - Current; modern.
Allegory (noun) - As a literary device or artistic form, an allegory is a narrative or visual representation in which a character, place, or event can be interpreted to represent a hidden meaning with moral or political significance.
What is an allegory?-- An allegory is a narrative story used to convey an abstract, complex, or dangerous message.
How does an allegory work?-- Allegory works by giving characters and events in the story symbolic meanings. As readers, our attention remains on the surface story while a symbolic story plays out beneath.
What are the different kinds of allegories?- - When divided by tradition, allegories are either biblical, classical, or modern. When divided by literary device, allegories are personification allegories or symbolic allegories.
The C.S. Lewis And J.R.R. Tolkien Relationship Explained
J.R.R. Tolkien led C.S. Lewis to Christianity
C.S. Lewis encouraged J.R.R. Tolkien to write ‘The Lord of the Rings’
They bonded over their experiences in WWI
C.S. Lewis wanted to ‘smack’ J.R.R. Tolkien
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien helped bridge the gap between literature and linguistics
They both lost their parents as children
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis pursued escapism through their writings
Both men enjoyed legendary love affairs
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien received different receptions during their lifetimes
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien held ‘Beowulf and Beer’ sessions
Their friendship hit lows over writing difference and religion
A fellowship of writers never broken
Despite the blemish at the end of their relationship, the shock waves of their friendship still resound today. After all, it’s no exaggeration to attribute their greatest literary works to the encouragement they showed one another (via Newsweek). And their friendship would transcend time. How? Through their many literary works where camaraderie remains a fundamental theme.
Great quote!
Odd to read that C.S. Lewis doesn’t want to live under an omnipotent moral busybody.
Lewis gets pulled under the “Christian” umbrella far too often. I mean yes he was a Christian but wasn’t a far-right nincompoop either.
Both he and JR Tolkien were contemporaries who shared a faith. The main difference between the two was Tolkien specifically didn’t write allegorically while Lewis did.
Incidentally, Lewis’s book Mere Christianity is what started my journey out of Christianity.
That’s what I love about his writings. He simply let people decide for themselves, which is how it should be.
edit – his book ‘A Grief Observed’ is his best imo.
Can you explain that last sentence? Maybe I don’t know what allegory really is.
What is an allegory?-- An allegory is a narrative story used to convey an abstract, complex, or dangerous message.
How does an allegory work?-- Allegory works by giving characters and events in the story symbolic meanings. As readers, our attention remains on the surface story while a symbolic story plays out beneath.
What are the different kinds of allegories?- - When divided by tradition, allegories are either biblical, classical, or modern. When divided by literary device, allegories are personification allegories or symbolic allegories.
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/allegory/
The C.S. Lewis And J.R.R. Tolkien Relationship Explained
https://www.grunge.com/596312/the-c-s-lewis-and-j-r-r-tolkien-relationship-explained/