Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Through his study of myth, C. S. Lewis concluded that pagan
mythology was a praeparatio evangelica for the ultimate "truth" of
Christianity. To illustrate his conviction, Lewis has retold the
myth of Cupid and Psyche, as transmitted by Apuleius, in Till We Have
Faces. Lewis has, by burying in his novel analogues and allusions to
Scripture, demonstrated how he believed God must have meant this
pagan myth to be interpreted. In his myth, Lewis uses a central
figure, Orual, to show how God reveals Himself to mortals. Before
becoming Queen, she rejects all "signs" and "witnesses" from the gods.
After she is Queen, the same "signs" and "witnesses" are viewed in
retrospect and finally the "veil" of misunderstanding is lifted.
mythology was a praeparatio evangelica for the ultimate "truth" of
Christianity. To illustrate his conviction, Lewis has retold the
myth of Cupid and Psyche, as transmitted by Apuleius, in Till We Have
Faces. Lewis has, by burying in his novel analogues and allusions to
Scripture, demonstrated how he believed God must have meant this
pagan myth to be interpreted. In his myth, Lewis uses a central
figure, Orual, to show how God reveals Himself to mortals. Before
becoming Queen, she rejects all "signs" and "witnesses" from the gods.
After she is Queen, the same "signs" and "witnesses" are viewed in
retrospect and finally the "veil" of misunderstanding is lifted.
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