Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Lewis Quote: On Essays

Just ran across the most wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis' The Horse and His Boy as I was reading it to my children as part of our usual bedtime ritual (which, for the last couple of years has consisted of a Bible story, a story from the complete Thomas the Tank Engine collection, and a chapter from one of the Narnian Chronicles - we're on our second pass through both of the latter now). It struck me as particularly wonderful right now as I am writing my thesis and marking essays over Spring Break!
In Calormen, story-telling (whether the stories are true or made up) is a thing you're taught, just as English boys and girls are taught essay-writing. The difference is that people want to read the stories, whereas I never heard of anyone who wanted to read the essays.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

To: Mr. Hewlett
I read your article named Religious Themes in the Princess Bride after I watched the movie. I loved the analysis and analogies you made between the movie and the Christian characters. For example, you compared the Princess Bride to the Bride of Christ, Prince Humperdinck to Satan, and Westley to the “Coming One” Jesus, etc. You helped me discovered more about what a good Christian should be like.
Thank you for your great thoughts and efforts you put on the article.

Sincerely
Jamie

Anonymous said...

Mr. Hewlett,
Thank you for writing these notes. My class studied the "Princess Bride" and looked for the biblical principals hidden in them. I liked how you made the parallel of Wesley as "The Coming One." Just as Wesley came for Buttercup, Jesus will come for us. Thank you for taking time to make these eye-opening parallels.

Sincerely,
Stephen

Anonymous said...

Mr. Hewlett,
Thank you so much for writing your review on this movie. Some people just watch this movie without even seeing the symbolism about Christ and I am sure you have opened a lot of eyes, and changed the way people view "The Princess Bride" movie. I liked how it talked about how Wesley started out as a poor slave and ended up being the hero. Just like Jesus wasn't born into a high class family, but to a carpenter and ended up saving the world. Thanks!
~Tamrah~

Anonymous said...

Great quote!