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The literary legacies of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have left an indelible mark on the world of fantasy literature. While both authors are celebrated for their enchanting tales, their approaches to symbolism offer intriguing insights into their respective narrative philosophies and worldviews. In this article, we delve into the symbolism crafted by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, examining how their unique perspectives shape the landscapes of their imaginative worlds. I will also share my preference and talk about how I plan to teach the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien in my homeschool using Memoria Press literature guides. Also, check out my article about the reading order of the Chronicles of Narnia if you are interested.
Tolkien vs. Lewis: Different Approaches to Allegory
C.S. Lewis: Allegory and Moral Depth
C.S. Lewis, a master of intentional allegorical storytelling, weaves intricate layers of symbolism throughout his works. His approach often involves the deliberate use of characters, events, and themes to convey moral lessons and theological concepts. In “The Chronicles of Narnia,” for instance, Aslan serves as a multifaceted symbol, embodying attributes of Christ, sacrificial love, and divine redemption. The magical world of Narnia becomes a canvas on which Lewis explores themes of good versus evil, temptation, and the transformative power of virtue.
“Supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralyzed much of my own religion in childhood.”
C.S. Lewis, “Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories”
Lewis’s symbolism is characterized by its clarity and directness, making it accessible to readers of various ages and backgrounds. His tales are enriched with moral allegories that invite readers to contemplate ethical dilemmas, confront personal weaknesses, and aspire to higher virtues. Through the use of relatable characters and situations, Lewis’s symbolism forms a bridge between the fantastical and the tangible, fostering connections between the reader’s own experiences and the profound themes at play.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Mythopoeia and Subcreation
J.R.R. Tolkien’s approach to symbolism is rooted in his concept of “mythopoeia,” the act of creating mythic narratives and mythic worlds. Unlike Lewis’s direct allegory, Tolkien’s symbolism emerges organically from the intricate tapestry of his storytelling. His legendarium, encompassing “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” is a testament to his philosophy of subcreation—the idea that authors, as subcreators, craft secondary worlds that reflect the grandeur and complexity of the primary world.
“Fantasy remains a human right: we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made: and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, “On Fairy-Stories”
Tolkien’s symbolism is often subtle and multifaceted, inviting readers to engage with his stories on multiple levels. His use of languages, cultures, and races within Middle-earth serves as symbolic representations of broader themes such as the perils of industrialization, the preservation of nature, and the resilience of free will. The One Ring itself becomes a symbol of power’s corrupting influence and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
“Certainly I did not consciously invent allegory. I do not like allegory very much, and have always preferred history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse ‘applicability’ with ‘allegory’; but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, Foreword to the Second Edition of The Lord of the Rings
Lewis vs. Tolkien
In the realm of symbolism, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien diverge in their approaches while converging in their dedication to crafting immersive and thought-provoking narratives. Lewis’s allegorical clarity resonates with moral lessons and spiritual contemplation, while Tolkien’s mythopoeia allows for nuanced exploration of themes within the fabric of his self-created universe. Both authors, through their distinctive approaches to symbolism, invite readers to embark on journeys of discovery, traversing landscapes where imagination and meaning intertwine—a testament to the enduring power of fantasy literature to enrich our minds and souls.
My Take: A Personal Preference for Tolkien, but Lewis’ Fiction is Great for Kids and Nonfiction is Great for Everyone
My personal bias lies with good ol’ J.R.R. The intricate world-building, linguistic melodies, and profound themes that echo through Middle-earth resonate within me and countless others. Tolkien essentially invented the high fantasy genre as it exists today. So many authors, scriptwriters, and game designers owe their own creations to his foundation. Tolkien ran so they could walk.
As a child I read The Hobbit and followed it up quickly with The Lord of the Rings, internalizing the books at an early age. For our “dress-like-a-book-character” day in fifth grade, I dressed as a hobbit, complete with hairy, big feet and slightly pointed ears formed (unskillfully) with modeling putty. I even made a failed attempt to slog through the Silmarillion at one point. Out of all of Lewis’ works, I only half-heartedly read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a child and did not bother with the rest of Narnia.
Yet, in my adulthood, I have found myself drawn to the works of C.S. Lewis as well, and have been reading all of them in turn. While Tolkien’s tales ignite my imagination with their mythic grandeur, Lewis’ fiction speaks to my heart with its allegorical clarity and moral depth. Moreover, it is in Lewis’ nonfiction writings and essays that I have discovered a personal guiding light—a keen wit with valuable spiritual insight.
For fictional storytelling, I still prefer Tolkien’s mythopoeia. However, having read the Narnia books more closely now as an adult, I appreciate them as stories that delight children while instructing them in moral virtue. In addition, I find Lewis’ essays and nonfiction immensely enjoyable and instructive as an adult. A teenage reader could derive similar value from these works.
My current plan for the works of Lewis and Tolkien in my homeschool is to read them to and with my children as they grow older, and pick certain works to study in more depth as part of our literature curriculum. We may not get through all of Narnia as a literature study but we will certainly read them for fun if my children are amenable! The Middle Earth cycle of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings is non-optional, however. (Just joking. Kind of.)
How Can We Explore Tolkien and Lewis in Our Homeschool?
The works of both Tolkien and Lewis are more than worthy of inclusion in a classical homeschool literature curriculum. The symbolism present in each of these authors’ works is a fertile ground for classical students to explore, as classical education requires students to drink deeply from a broad canon of Western literature and ancient and medieval history. Tolkien and Lewis were classically educated themselves, and had brilliant minds.
The resources I plan to use to teach Tolkien and Lewis as literature in my homeschool are from Memoria Press, which produces high quality literature guides that go beyond the surface level to help students (and teacher-parents) gain a deep understanding of classic literature. I have used Memoria Press’ literature guides before and I cannot imagine a better companion for students to get the most out of these complex works of literature.
Memoria Press literature sets include the novel, a teacher guide, and a student guide. Memoria Press produces both student guides and teacher guides for their literature study so teacher-parents can guide a discussion with their students. Student guides include insights into the literary work, reading notes, vocabulary, and comprehension questions. The teacher guides are identical to the student guides except they contain the answers to questions as well. Memoria Press also produces lesson plans that can be purchased separately or as part of their full-year curriculum guides. This is nice especially for teacher-parents with multiple kids or limited time to plan lessons. Teacher guides can be reused with multiple students, while student guides are consumables and will need to be purchased for each student.
Tolkien & Lewis Homeschool Resources from Memoria Press
The Magician’s Nephew Set (Includes Novel, Teacher Guide, and Student Guide)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Set (Includes Novel, Teacher Guide, and Student Guide)
The Hobbit Set (Includes Novel, Teacher Guide, and Student Guide)
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