EBOOK
Splendour in the Dark
C. S. Lewis's Dymer in His Life and Work
Jerry RootSeries: Hansen Lectureship5
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About
Several years before he converted to Christianity, C. S. Lewis published a narrative poem, Dymer, under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton. Later, of course, Lewis became well known for his beloved imaginative stories, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Till We Have Faces, as well as his ability to defend and articulate the faith in works such as Mere Christianity.
But what about his literary work before his conversion?
In this fourth volume in the Hansen Lectureship Series, Jerry Root contends that Lewis's early poem Dymer can not only shed light on the development of Lewis's literary skills but also offer a glimpse of what was to come in his intellectual and spiritual growth-a "splendor in the dark," to borrow one of Lewis's own lines from the poem. Under Root's careful analysis, Dymer becomes a way to understand both Lewis's change of mind as well as the way in which each of us is led on a journey of faith.
This volume also includes the complete text of Dymer with annotations from David C. Downing, co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center.
The Hansen Lectureship series offers accessible and insightful reflections by Wheaton College faculty members upon the transformative work of the Wade Center authors.
But what about his literary work before his conversion?
In this fourth volume in the Hansen Lectureship Series, Jerry Root contends that Lewis's early poem Dymer can not only shed light on the development of Lewis's literary skills but also offer a glimpse of what was to come in his intellectual and spiritual growth-a "splendor in the dark," to borrow one of Lewis's own lines from the poem. Under Root's careful analysis, Dymer becomes a way to understand both Lewis's change of mind as well as the way in which each of us is led on a journey of faith.
This volume also includes the complete text of Dymer with annotations from David C. Downing, co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center.
The Hansen Lectureship series offers accessible and insightful reflections by Wheaton College faculty members upon the transformative work of the Wade Center authors.
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Reviews
"Isn't it remarkable that this poem, written almost a century ago, has now been brought to life? Of course, because the poem's author was C. S. Lewis, it will be of interest to a whole slew of Lewis lovers, eager for fresh material to ingest in the name of literary scholarship. Dr. Jerry Root, a longtime advocate and commentator of the Lewis oeuvre has given us a new reading to ponder, and in this
Luci N. Shaw, author of Thumbprint in the Clay
"Jerry Root has succeeded in making Dymer interesting and showing that the poem is worthy of academic study. He has also been brave enough to invite people who disagree with him to contribute to the volume. This is a fascinating read on a difficult subject."
Suzanne Bray, Lille Catholic University
"Splendour in the Dark is an important new work on the narrative poem Lewis wrote before his conversion to Christianity. In addition to printing the complete text of the poem, the highlight of the volume is three commentary chapters by Lewis scholar Jerry Root and the response to each chapter by a different reader of Dymer. Root's intimate knowledge of the Lewis corpus is everywhere present, and h
Don W. King, author of C. S. Lewis, Poet: The Legacy of His Poetic Impulse
Extended Details
- SeriesHansen Lectureship