Tolkien and Lewis: Literary Analysis

This lecture continues to explore literary analysis, how to study the biography and context of an author to understand his or her books. We do this by looking especially at Lewis and Tolkien and their context.

For the best books on Tolkien and his background check these out:

For the best books on C.S. Lewis and his background:

This is Lecture 9 in the course 'Lewis and Tolkienl'. All material is copyrighted.

[MichaelYork]

Just reading the end of Perelandra shows that Lewis is aiming beyond
what He or anyone else "Knows", he is describing something that is indescribable.
Reaching out to The Divine.

[KantosKan]

All of these lectures are fantastic listening. They have provided education and entertainment while I am working. Please keep up the great work.

[ksauri]

great lecture - teaching a secular class for public school but the dichotomy you created is excellent and very useful. Will definitely use it.

[MichaelYork]

The reader must be "Prepared" to read any book,
especially a book with theological implications.
Reading The Bible your entire life is a journey
that never ends. After 45 years there is always more.
Tolkien and Lewis create "Glimpses" into the never ending Divine Glory of GOD

[Yesica]

These lectures have inspired me to re-read 'The Hobbit.' I didn't care for it too much the first time I read it. But I'm quite enjoying it now. I have no idea why!

It also inspired me to continue on with the Space Trilogy. I read the first book and honestly didn't care for it much. I just started 'Perelandra' and it does have a bit of a different feel to it. We'll see how it goes!

[BlueGlassesVIDS]

As an atheist, i'm very impressed by that presentation.

[MichaelYork]

One cannot use The Bible as a comparison to reading other texts
since it comes to us via The Holy Spirit, the full depth of the text
continues to this day to be revealed. Of course I refer to Matthew
being The Gospel of Jesus The Messiah, Mark The Gospel of Jesus
The Servant, Luke The Gospel of Jesus The Son of Man, and John
The Gospel of Jesus The Son of God, The Lion, The Ox, The Man and The Eagle
as well as the Grammatical formulations which the Spirit of God embedded
in the Text itself. The Bible stands alone as the utterly Unique text.
No mortal man has written or could ever write such a text without
Divine Inspiration. Sorry I just had to point this out, which of course
You and those listening already know.

[FishTheJim]

You mention that Tom Bombadill was not affected by the ring, however he was affected. Yes he did not turn invisible nor did he have any desire to keep the ring. Frodo though when he gets the ring back from Tom decides to quietly slip it on and then Tom cannot see him but knows that he is there. That is in itself being affected by the ring.

I have ideas on this but I wonder what meaning this may have on the story.