How does Lewis’s history of this event help us better understand humanity?

In this final reading response, you will put each of the 4 ecologies of meaning discussed throughout this course to practice in your reading of Prince Caspian. To complete this activity, you must respond to 1 of the questions in each of the 4 following parts. Each answer should be at least 1 substantial paragraph: Part 1—History Review the chapter “The High King in Command.” Analyze the section about Miraz and Peter in the duel. Focus on the section that begins with “An hour later two great lords in the army of Miraz …” and goes to the end of the chapter. Imagine that this is a historical event, recorded by the “historian” C.S. Lewis. Suppose that the evidence from this historical event shows that the 2 armies met but then stopped fighting. The records then say that there was a duel and that only Peter won. Rather than submit to the agreed-upon deal, however, the Telmarines took up the fight again. How might Lewis have used the facts of the events and the historical context to explain the things about the event that he did not know? For example: Lewis knows about the 2 different cultures (Telmarines and Narnians), their moral systems, the events leading up to the war, and the ambitions of the different leaders. How does this information help him explain the events about which he does not have any evidence? How does Lewis’s history of this event help us better understand humanity? Do the decisions of Miraz, his generals and Prince Caspian teach us anything about human passion, fear, courage, etc.? Part 2—Literature Review the chapter “Return of the Lion.” Analyze the section in which Lucy speaks with Aslan. Focus on the section that begins with “She got up, her heart beating wildly …” and goes to the end of the chapter. As you answer the following, consider reviewing the lectures from Dr. Reiter on literature. Do you consider any part of this section as words that are “ends in themselves”? In other words, are there any sections that you find to be beautiful just as they are written? Share your favorite phrases or sentences with the class. How does this passage give us a window into the culture? Does this piece give you access to the culture of Narnia? Does it give you a window into C.S. Lewis’s culture, who is writing in 1950 at the end of World War II and during the Cold War? Do you see any section in this chapter that defamiliarized something that you already knew before reading? Part 3—Philosophy Review the chapter “Sorcery and Sudden Vengeance.” Analyze the exchange in the central chamber between Nikabrik, Trufflehunter, and Caspian that begins with “A king who has just won a great battle can usually establish himself without the help of a performing lion…” and goes to the end of the chapter. What is the philosopher, C.S. Lewis, saying about what is truly good? Briefly discuss the tension between Nikabrik’s moral ideas and the Good as an absolute. Does this exchange show us the limits of Nikabrik’s beliefs or experiences? In thinking only of his race, has he failed to understand what is truly good? What philosophical ideas do you see being talked about in this exchange? Part 4—Art Read the chapter “The Ancient Treasure House.” Analyze the section which begins with the exclamation “O-o-o-oh…” and goes to the end of the chapter. Into what relationship has C.S. Lewis’s description drawn you? (Hint: the relationship is between the children’s present and their past.) How does his description reveal the tension in that relationship? What makes the descriptions in this passage an act of artistic creation? How does Lewis use existing ideas and things to create something new? Does this description create any emotional response in you? Does it give you a sense of grandeur or nostalgia? https://archive.org/details/princecaspianbyc0000lewi/page/n7/mode/2up

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