On C.S. Lewis

Episode 24: Not as Unwise but as Wise: Reflections from C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man and That Hideous Strength In Chapter 14, Mark's imprisonment takes a new turn, as he is subjected to the "Objectivity Room" with the aim of eliminating his emotions and indeed his humanity through exposure to deformed architecture and art which possess no objective beauty or truth. Jane has a vision, followed...

Both the Company at St. Anne's and the N.I.C.E. are searching diligently to find Merlin, who has awakened and left his sepulchre. Two different men are spotted in the vicinity; one escapes on a horse and the other is captured by the N.I.C.E. The action picks up as Merlin immediately rides to the aid of the Company at St. Anne's and is revealed as a Christian. Meanwhile, the N.I.C.E. are speaking L...

Both the Company at St. Anne's and the N.I.C.E. are searching diligently to find Merlin, who has awakened and left his sepulchre. Two different men are spotted in the vicinity; one escapes on a horse and the other is captured by the N.I.C.E. The action picks up as Merlin immediately rides to the aid of the Company at St. Anne's and is revealed as a Christian. Meanwhile, the N.I.C.E. are speaking L...

This week, we go on an unsuccessful quest with Jane, Dimble, and Denniston in search of Merlin, while the powers at the N.I.C.E. debate about whether torturing Mark would be fruitful or would disrupt Jane's visions. In his prison cell facing hanging, Mark gains clarity about the folly of his obsession with the Inner Ring and falls into despair.

This week, we go on an unsuccessful quest with Jane, Dimble, and Denniston in search of Merlin, while the powers at the N.I.C.E. debate about whether torturing Mark would be fruitful or would disrupt Jane's visions. In his prison cell facing hanging, Mark gains clarity about the folly of his obsession with the Inner Ring and falls into despair.

In this week's chapter, the powers of the N.I.C.E. will try to tighten their grip on Mark by entrapping him with planted evidence, and when he flees, he ends up in a showdown with Dr. Dimble about Jane. Dr. Dimble stands fast about Mark and the evil represented by the N.I.C.E. and refuses to reveal where Jane is. Meanwhile, the Director and the Company at St. Anne's prepare to take action and ente...

In this week's chapter, the powers of the N.I.C.E. will try to tighten their grip on Mark by entrapping him with planted evidence, and when he flees, he ends up in a showdown with Dr. Dimble about Jane. Dr. Dimble stands fast about Mark and the evil represented by the N.I.C.E. and refuses to reveal where Jane is. Meanwhile, the Director and the Company at St. Anne's prepare to take action and ente...

To his horror, Mark finds that the Head of the N.I.C.E. is not just a nightmare he has dreamed up, but instead the head of a dead criminal whose life has been artificially prolonged. As Mark's attempt to leave the N.I.C.E. is thwarted by Wither, Jane learns about Ransom's history at St. Anne's and the role of the angel-like spirits known as the Eldils in guiding the Company

To his horror, Mark finds that the Head of the N.I.C.E. is not just a nightmare he has dreamed up, but instead the head of a dead criminal whose life has been artificially prolonged. As Mark's attempt to leave the N.I.C.E. is thwarted by Wither, Jane learns about Ransom's history at St. Anne's and the role of the angel-like spirits known as the Eldils in guiding the Company

While Mark enjoys what he believes to be increasing success at the N.I.C.E., Jane discovers some of the unusual aspects of life at St. Anne's. However, things at the N.I.C.E. are not as they first appear to Mark, and more of its sinister characteristics become evident over the course of the chapter.

While Mark enjoys what he believes to be increasing success at the N.I.C.E., Jane discovers some of the unusual aspects of life at St. Anne's. However, things at the N.I.C.E. are not as they first appear to Mark, and more of its sinister characteristics become evident over the course of the chapter.

Jane flees to St. Anne's and is welcomed into the Manor. She is taken to meet the Director, Mr. Fisher-King, and she is overwhelmed and transformed by the beauty and holiness of her encounter with him. Upon returning to Edgestow, she is caught up in a riot and then arrested by the N.I.C.E., who torture her to try to extract infomation about St. Anne's. Jane escapes and manages to find her way back...

Jane flees to St. Anne's and is welcomed into the Manor. She is taken to meet the Director, Mr. Fisher-King, and she is overwhelmed and transformed by the beauty and holiness of her encounter with him. Upon returning to Edgestow, she is caught up in a riot and then arrested by the N.I.C.E., who torture her to try to extract infomation about St. Anne's. Jane escapes and manages to find her way back...

As we embark on Chapter 6, we will see fog envelop the N.I.C.E. as it works more aggressively on media propaganda and using riots to advance its agenda, while Jane's visions continue to disturb her daily routine. Meanwhile, the company at St. Anne's is an island of light and beauty unaffected by the fog.

As we embark on Chapter 6, we will see fog envelop the N.I.C.E. as it works more aggressively on media propaganda and using riots to advance its agenda, while Jane's visions continue to disturb her daily routine. Meanwhile, the company at St. Anne's is an island of light and beauty unaffected by the fog.

The true nature of the N.I.C.E. starts to become more apparent in Chapter 5, as even through the cloud of double-speak it becomes evident that propaganda and coercive control are key parts of its mission. We also gain insights into the community of St. Anne's and its leadership.

The true nature of the N.I.C.E. starts to become more apparent in Chapter 5, as even through the cloud of double-speak it becomes evident that propaganda and coercive control are key parts of its mission. We also gain insights into the community of St. Anne's and its leadership.

In Chapter 4, the works of the N.I.C.E. begin to invade the lives of many of the major characters in the story, leaving destruction and even death in their wake. Lewis also shows the dangerous impact of teaching and following a false gospel.

In Chapter 4, the works of the N.I.C.E. begin to invade the lives of many of the major characters in the story, leaving destruction and even death in their wake. Lewis also shows the dangerous impact of teaching and following a false gospel.

The lure of the Inner Ring, the danger of rejecting God's design for you, the perils of redefining language, the propensity of power to devolve into tyranny--all these themes appear in Chapter 3 of That Hideous Strength. In this episode, we unpack what Lewis is saying and how eerily prescient this work is.

The lure of the Inner Ring, the danger of rejecting God's design for you, the perils of redefining language, the propensity of power to devolve into tyranny--all these themes appear in Chapter 3 of That Hideous Strength. In this episode, we unpack what Lewis is saying and how eerily prescient this work is.

At the end of Chapter 2, Mark and Jane Studdock are heading in different directions to very different destinations--Mark in Lord Feverstone's sports car speeding to the N.I.C.E. at Belbury, and Jane on a slow train making its way to St. Anne's-on-the-Hill. In this episode, we look at the symbolism hidden in these journeys and outline the action at the beginning of Chapter 3.

At the end of Chapter 2, Mark and Jane Studdock are heading in different directions to very different destinations--Mark in Lord Feverstone's sports car speeding to the N.I.C.E. at Belbury, and Jane on a slow train making its way to St. Anne's-on-the-Hill. In this episode, we look at the symbolism hidden in these journeys and outline the action at the beginning of Chapter 3.

As we explore Chapter 2 of That Hideous Strength, the theme of the Inner Ring takes center stage as pride and gossip envelop Mark Studdock. Lewis makes strong points about using people and abusing power, corrupting language, envisioning a politico-technological utopia run by the government and science, holding to a dangerous view of Man as merely an animal or cog in a machine, and refusing to be v...

As we explore Chapter 2 of That Hideous Strength, the theme of the Inner Ring takes center stage as pride and gossip envelop Mark Studdock. Lewis makes strong points about using people and abusing power, corrupting language, envisioning a politico-technological utopia run by the government and science, holding to a dangerous view of Man as merely an animal or cog in a machine, and refusing to be v...