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Splendour in the Dark: C. S. Lewis's Dymer in His Life and Work (Hansen Lectureship Series)
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About Splendour In The Dark: C. S. Lewis's Dymer In His
Product Description 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 "splendour 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. Review "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 annotated version of Dymer he offers an appreciation of Lewis's power of versification and command of language. As you read, you are made aware of a practicing wordsmith doing his exercises and enjoying himself immensely. His early studies with W. T. Kirkpatrick, which involved Greek and Latin, gave the young Lewis an understanding of how much of the English language evolved, and thus supplies even this early writing with a richness and depth." -- 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 his essential argument that by knowing Dymer readers will recognize many important themes of Lewis's postconversion writings is compelling." -- Don W. King, author of C. S. Lewis, Poet: The Legacy of His Poetic Impulse "A few years before the publication of Dymer, the then-atheist Lewis wryly reported how a friend of his was predicting that one day 'my chimney stack would turn into a spire.' The prophecy was spot-on and Dymer provides insights into some aspects of that gradual process of spiritual reconstruction. This volume helpfully illuminates the poem, debates its value, and points out ways it foreshadows Lewis's mature work. A welcome addition to the scholarship on his early life and poetry, which I warmly recommend." -- Michael Ward, fellow of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and coeditor of C. S. Lewis at Poets' Corner "Jerry Root's Splendour in the Dark richly illuminates C. S. Lewis's early halting―and at times haunting―expression of themes that would occupy his writing for the rest of his life: the confusion of freedom with radical autonomy, the painful truth that spiritual growth demands ruthless sel
