C. S. Lewis: Beyond Compare Trivia Quiz

Answer: His studies at Oxford before World War One

The death of Lewis' mother had a profound affect on him, as did Paddy's death and his service in World War One. The combination of these three could have certainly led to the views expressed in "Spirits of Bondage". Although his studies at Oxford may have had an influence on him, it is highly unlikely they had anything to do with the cynical world view he held at the time.

This book of poetry is of special interest in that it was written before his conversion to Christianity. In many respects it differs radically from the views he expressed later in life. An interesting side note is that it was published under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton.

Answer: E. M. W. Tillyard

"A Personal Heresy" is a group of six articles written by C. S. Lewis and E. M. W. Tillyard. The issue at hand was whether or not a work of poetry, or any other work of imagination, is primarily a reflection of the author's personality or if it stands on its own merits. Tillyard espoused the subjective view that the author's personality mattered and Lewis espoused the objective view that the work should stand on its own merit.

In many ways the battle was between the elite and the common man, with Lewis taking the side of the common man.

Answer: Beatrix Potter

Lewis was heavily influenced in his early childhood by the writings of Beatrix Potter and her anthropomorphic animals, chief among these is of course "The Tale of Peter Rabbit". Animals permeate his writings, most notably in "The Chronicles of Narnia".

As mentioned in the question, he devotes a whole chapter in his book to the subject of animal pain as it relates to a just and loving God. This chapter is quite involved and even deals with whether or not animals go to heaven or have an afterlife.

Answer: A Preface to Paradise Lost

Lewis wrote "A Preface to Paradise Lost" to give context and understanding to this great work by John Milton. As a guide to Milton's work, it is unmatched. Lewis delves into the issues and controversies surrounding this great piece of literature and offers keen insight into the subject matter.

Answer: The Dark Tower

Much controversy has surrounded the publication of "The Dark Tower and Other Stories", not because of the work itself but rather whether or not Lewis actually wrote "The Dark Tower" story. Kathryn Lindskoog is the chief critic of the authenticity of Lewis' authorship. Although the controversy still rages, both the author's estate and the publishers assert that it is indeed his work.

Answer: God in the Dock

"God in the Dock" was a collection of Lewis' essays published after his death in 1970. The collection covers a diverse number of subjects but always from the perspective of the common man. Lewis was never one to try to argue his case before the educated but rather wanted normal people to understand the God he knew. Lewis shows that God is truly a merciful and loving God who would most assuredly win any trial.

Answer: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature

"The Discarded Image" is a scholarly work that encompasses much of what Lewis taught at Oxford and Cambridge. In it he attempts to bring the Medieval mind to life so that students can understand the literature that came out of that time. Lewis believed that without context much of the meaning is lost.

The book encompasses theology, science, and history from the first millennium AD until about 1600. He believes this "image" enlightens understanding of the authors, philosophers, and historians that came afterwards. (Source: tobedwithatrollope.wordpress.com Oct 31 2007)

Answer: Etymology

Etymology is the study of the history of words and their meanings. Linguistics is the study of natural language not words specifically. In "Studies in Words" Lewis devotes a chapter to each of ten different words or phrases. These are: nature, sad, wit, free, sense, simple, conscience and conscious, world, life, and I dare say.

In each chapter he delves into phrases and ideas surrounding each broader word or phrase. The book shows the care with which Lewis treated the English language and the use of words in particular.

Answer: An Experiment in Criticism

Examination is a synonym for both experiment and criticism. "An Experiment in Criticism" is yet another attempt by Lewis to remove literature from the realm of the privileged and bring it to the common man. In it he argues that books should not be judged by how they are written but rather by how they are read.

A book's worth is not found in the the manner in which it is constructed but in whether the reader wants to re-read it and learns something new when they do. He argued against categorizing works as "high-brow" or "low-brow" but that it is what the reader takes from the book that matters.

He also discusses types or readers, namely those that re-read books (the literary) and those that read only once (the unliterary).

Answer: The Four Loves

"The Four Loves" is Lewis' memorable work on the subject of love. The Greeks had four words for love and it is on these that Lewis builds his treatise. He takes the reader through examples in literature and through thought-experiments in seeking to understand this subject that has baffled man since the dawn of time.