Wacky Women Writers

I thought I would write a little about the Women Writers class I'm taking at Hope College right now. (specifically British women writers from the nineteenth century). We've read Maria Edgeworth, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, and now George Eliot (quiz: which one doesn't belong?).

I'm finding these novels, and the accompanying writing and discussion, immensely challenging and stimulating, and would reccomend especially the Brontes to anyone. The novels of that century liked to trace the development of individuals, especially children who were in abusive situations, or who had to overcome odds, or who were constrained from expressing their "true selves." Will they do the right thing, and find their true selves, or will they give into temptations of wealth, prestige, bitterness, or marriage for the wrong reasons? Do you think we have true selves hidden away, or are we who we are, even with our bad choices and insecurities? The novels Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Great Expectations have convinced me of one thing: that I shouldn't do things for the wrong reason, i.e. out of desperation. This applies even to education and career: I shouldn't pursure a degree or a job simply for prestige or to feel normal. I have to pursue what my heart is calling me to, and although that sounds very cliche', I think it's quite true that we're still always tempted to do the wrong thing, i.e. get into a relationship, pursue a course of action, or even move somewhere out of a misguided motive. This motive could be clearly wrong, as in an immoral choice, but it could also be masked in devout language; Jane Eyre is tempted to go to the mission field as a missionary's wife...but for the wrong reasons. Thankfully, she realizes this in her heart and says "no." She also says no to an opposite, immoral choice that would involve following her heart, but breaking her moral code. We shouldn't do either. We should puruse the highest good; and sometimes that means giving up something that looks good to the world for something more important, i.e. Jesus.

For Yours is the Power and the Glory, now and forever...

Thoughts on Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory
So I'm up late...can't sleep & hoping my roommate can't hear typing in her sleep. The above line is from the "Our Father" that is recited in a Catholic mass...I thought of it after our discussion--this whole book demonstrates, through a weak and doubtful human character, that the power and the glory is indeed God's, and he used this man despite himself. The ending is just beautiful. The boy that was earlier jaded against religion in this secular communist state finally makes a personal connection with a martyr...the drunk priest he had met earlier was shot that day; he knew a martyr personally, and could connect with him...unlike the larger-than-life martyrs his mother read to him about from cheesy, exaggerated books. Greene has done the same thing for us: introduced us to a martyr (and without our quite knowing it).
I think the best thing about this book is the way it turns our notions of good and bad on their heads...thus demonstrating, again, that the power and the glory belong to God. When the priest was sleek and good and respected, he was in reality at his worst. When he was poor, debased, sinful, rejected, and full of doubt, he was at his best; and even though he couldn't see that, we can see it and thus see God's perspective....which is a cool trick on Greene's part...getting us to see that this man is righteous and brave, and that he has changed lives and saved souls...that he is a martyr in fact.
If you aren't to the end yet, I highly recommend it.
Perhaps my lack of sleep has to do with the "decaf" coffee I consumed at the meeting. Oh well, if it gets me to write something!

Were his parents into alliteration?

Thoughts on Graham Greene, The Third Man, The Power and the Glory?

Lion, Witch, Wardrobe

So we saw "the movie," the movie that inspired this blog. Christianity Today gave it (only, surprisingly, but still significantly) 3 1/2 stars and I'd probably agree. It was wonderful to see my favorite story in a different medium---to see the characters fleshed out in actors, and the personality that was given to the children and the animals/creatures (all British personalities, hilariously & thankfully). I liked the fact that the sibling tensions were emphasized, and the fact that these kids were very ordinary ("We're from Finchley!") and yet were thrown into an epic medieval-style battle and expected to be heroes and royals. The coronation of the children was majestic, and I think my favorite part was the end, when it shows the four of them grown up in Narnia, and leaves it to you to imagine how wonderful growing up in Narnia would be. They've forgotten England by this time. It was also clear that the names the children received as kings and queens (Peter the Magnificent, Edmund the Just, Susan the Gentle, Lucy the Valiant), with the exception of Lucy, showed the healing of an area of weakness for that person---redemption, in other words. However...my worry about a movie version of this book (and I hear this was Lewis' worry, too) was how they would portray Aslan's awe-inspiring splendor...in the book it is up to your imagination and your sense of awe. CS Lewis inspires that awe of Aslan with his writing, his choice of words, but I don't think these filmmakers exactly used their artform to the same effect or success in that area. It may be more difficult to do it in film, although the special effects were great and he did look like a real and a talking lion at the same time. Aslan's "way of sorrows" to the Stone Table moved me as well as Lucy to tears. His redemption of these children from their everyday relationship problems and character flaws to become majestic heroes who overturn evil and fulfill prophecies and change the destiny of a country, well that is awesome.

The Greatest Love Story Ever, and other News

So I saw "the greatest love story ever" twice this week, and I highly recommend it. It was shamelessly promoted with that superlative, with which I wouldn't disagree. I'm almost more excited, however, for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie that is coming out Friday, December 9th. I saw my first preview for it last night and was brought to tears already...it's just a wonderful story. I have started reading The Narnian. I was a little put off at first by Alan Jacobs' preface in which he is almost negative and actually vows never to write about CS Lewis again because he apparently gets so much grief from the diehard fans. As I began reading the book, I do find it fascinating (although sort of heavy) reading; he connects parts of Lewis' real life to parts of the Narnia stories and how his imagination was formed by events such as the loss of his mother at a young age. Jacobs seems to be a very discerning and thoughtful writer, and of course his subject is a rich mine of inspiring wisdom. I still recommend The Letters to Children by CS Lewis to anyone---this short book gives an entertaining and real look into Lewis' personality, sense of humor, and childlike fascination with animals, among other things! The upcoming movie looks truly awesome and I hope to see it Saturday, December 10th in Grandville (and, I hope, in many other times and places).

Great Quote

I read this today in Lewis' Letters to Children: asked why he became a writer, he said "Chiefly, I think, because my clumsiness or fingers prevented me from making things in any other way." I think this may have to do with why I aspire to write. Today I tried to use a sewing machine. The thread on the spool ended up within the innards of the sewing machine, wound around the bobbin (a few of you know what this means). However, I was determined to not go downstairs and ask my extremely mechanically-savvy neighbor/landlady for assistance. After all, I can read directions, at least.

Excited for The Narnian

Just wanted to say how excited I am to read The Narnian (by Alan Jacobs), the new biography of Lewis. Lately I have been thinking about him a lot, sort of how I think saints are looked at, curious about how he lived and how I can imitate his example. I'm wondering how he wrote...it seems like he lived quite a solitary existence and maybe that is necessary to be such a prolific writer. And yet he can't have been quite alone---I don't think you could write that way if you were not also living your life. And I'm wondering what his spiritual practices were. He seems to have integrated faith into his life, and to have had a faith in God's presence in all he did, rather than anxiety about how to grow closer to God, or how to help others grow closer to God. He just did it...how? Grace, I suppose. That's what he would say. In his letters to children he's always asking for their prayers. I love the letters, they're so funny. He does not often proseletyze (how I think of it, pushily) and yet his faith shone through and influenced countless people. ***Hey, I know I'm a bit long-winded, but please feel free to post relevant comments, thoughts, and information of any length or nature!