by RLSHAW » November 16th, 2006, 1:19 am
I appreciate your comments, Monica and do agree with the clarifications and distinctions that you brought up.
Also, it is quite possible that I would benefit from a second reading.
My point is that while the end was dramatic, I was not just a little homesick having becomed accustomed to being let through "the wardrobe, into the REAL world" as Lewis indulged us in all of Narnia and the first two books of the trilogy. I guess I would like to see (for the benefit of my imagination as it is a constituent of my world view) what would have happened. The end of the world? I need more. Do Jane and Mark have a Perelandrical reunion and live happily ever after? The human dilemmas that Lewis hits upon in the personalities of the characters are so real- so easy to identify with. I realise the limitations of literature as well as the difference between allegory and fantasy. I have been so grateful for Lewis's writing, learning how to think and appreciate simplicity as a result of his work that I desire... direction. Of course that is not the only reason to read but it is a good reason. If I may contrast it with Return of the King theatrical production (I've not read the books), the conclusion was glorious! (And glorious is the word that best explains what I'm getting at.) Having conquered evil face to face, I could understand how the hobbits could live happily ever after, beit in seperate Lands, so to speak. THS didn't have a clear encounter with the evil face to face with the evil being a seperate entity- it only seemed to have gained control at N.I.C.E. and the "members" seemed to have been co-shepherds in leading the members, including themselves, off to slaughter.
Consideration and comment would be humbly appreciated.
Yours, warmly,
Lee