Perelandra Chap. 11
Posted: March 24th, 2005, 6:50 am
As night falls on Perelandra, Ransom talks to God in the darkness - And his questions are answered!
This whole chapter takes place in the dark. Yet paradoxicly Ransom's purpose is illuminated as he calls out to Maleldil. The darkness is discribed as heavy, almost suffocating as it surrounds Ransom. This reminds me of a painting of Christ mentioned in the writings of G.K. Chesterton. The Saviour is very darkly painted, however He gives off light to the rest of the painting causing it to glow. The clear voice speaking in Ransom's head is there to give directions to him. The conversation reminds me of Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemene because Ransom is told bluntly about his duty to face the dangerous challenge ahead of him rather than just comfort.
But Maleldil's message does not go through unhampered. Ransom's own "voluble critic" chatters away during much of the revelation. The term voluble has an interesting definition. It's most obvious definition means fluent and talkative of course. But it also means "turning easily on an axis" or in botany "twisting like a vine". So there is a deeper meaning to Ransom's voluble self. It is the weak human tendency to twist in the wind, to go with the flow of things rather than oppose an adversary. This appears to be Ransom's case. And Maleldil wants to make sure Ransom fulfills his role in opposition to the Un-Man on Perelandra.
Heroic illustrations fill Ransom's mind at one point. He remembers the story of "Horatius on the bridge". Lewis is refering here to an ancient Roman story of how Horatius almost single handedly held off an attack by the invading Etruscans so that a bridge could be demolished, cutting off their advance on Rome. Horatius is gravely wounded, suffering the loss of an eye. And yet he fights on untill the bridge collapses into the river. Horatius dived into the river and by some accounts managed to swim to safety on the other side. Though in other versions of the story he dies trying. Ransom is well aware of the possibility of death while opposing the plans of the Un-Man.
Finally the Voice in the darkness reassures the professor by telling him "It is not for nothing that you are named Ransom". There is a bit of confusion here since our hero's name is not really in fact "Ransom". Remember Lewis' statement in the last chapter Out Of The Silent Planet that names have been changed to protect the identities of all involved. So what might be Ransom's real name? We are told that it was derived from "Ranolf's son", but I think his true name might refer to another way to discribe Christ's saving mission to humanity. The voice went on to say "My name is also Ransom". So Ransom's "real" name could be some reference to Our Lord's purpose to redeem humanity. Out of curiosity - Can anyone think of alternate names for Elwin Ransom that would have the same significance?
This whole chapter takes place in the dark. Yet paradoxicly Ransom's purpose is illuminated as he calls out to Maleldil. The darkness is discribed as heavy, almost suffocating as it surrounds Ransom. This reminds me of a painting of Christ mentioned in the writings of G.K. Chesterton. The Saviour is very darkly painted, however He gives off light to the rest of the painting causing it to glow. The clear voice speaking in Ransom's head is there to give directions to him. The conversation reminds me of Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemene because Ransom is told bluntly about his duty to face the dangerous challenge ahead of him rather than just comfort.
But Maleldil's message does not go through unhampered. Ransom's own "voluble critic" chatters away during much of the revelation. The term voluble has an interesting definition. It's most obvious definition means fluent and talkative of course. But it also means "turning easily on an axis" or in botany "twisting like a vine". So there is a deeper meaning to Ransom's voluble self. It is the weak human tendency to twist in the wind, to go with the flow of things rather than oppose an adversary. This appears to be Ransom's case. And Maleldil wants to make sure Ransom fulfills his role in opposition to the Un-Man on Perelandra.
Heroic illustrations fill Ransom's mind at one point. He remembers the story of "Horatius on the bridge". Lewis is refering here to an ancient Roman story of how Horatius almost single handedly held off an attack by the invading Etruscans so that a bridge could be demolished, cutting off their advance on Rome. Horatius is gravely wounded, suffering the loss of an eye. And yet he fights on untill the bridge collapses into the river. Horatius dived into the river and by some accounts managed to swim to safety on the other side. Though in other versions of the story he dies trying. Ransom is well aware of the possibility of death while opposing the plans of the Un-Man.
Finally the Voice in the darkness reassures the professor by telling him "It is not for nothing that you are named Ransom". There is a bit of confusion here since our hero's name is not really in fact "Ransom". Remember Lewis' statement in the last chapter Out Of The Silent Planet that names have been changed to protect the identities of all involved. So what might be Ransom's real name? We are told that it was derived from "Ranolf's son", but I think his true name might refer to another way to discribe Christ's saving mission to humanity. The voice went on to say "My name is also Ransom". So Ransom's "real" name could be some reference to Our Lord's purpose to redeem humanity. Out of curiosity - Can anyone think of alternate names for Elwin Ransom that would have the same significance?