Blog #2- Chapters 3-6
Each week I would like you to comment on the following themes. How do you see Lewis speaking through the story about these themes? Be specific.
Destiny- Who controls one’s destiny?
Again, I think he believes that for the post part each individual controls his/her destiny, though things in life can alter that destiny a bit.
The value of life- How does Lewis show his opinion on this?
He shows his opinion by having Ransom escape from Weston and Devine, therefore getting control of his destiny again.
Spiritual Battles- How is the spiritual battle between good and evil shown?
Weston and Devine are bad guys, who tried to use Ransom as a human sacrifice, but now he has escaped from them and is wandering Malacandra.
How does Lewis have to compensate for the fact that the reader is unfamiliar with the setting of this story?
Well he describes the ship that they take to the New Planet in high detail, and once they arrive on the Planet he describes it very well also, using great language and detail.
For these chapters please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Weston defends his actions by saying “small claims must give way to great.” What does he mean?
He means that the actions and decisions of individual people must give way for what is best for all mankind.
2. Ransom considers Weston’s philosophy of life “raving-lunacy.” Using examples from the reading explain Weston’s philosophy of life.
Weston’s philosophy of life is that individual people’s rights, and importance means nothing when compared to the whole group. In other words society in a whole is of way more importance than any one person.
3. How does Ransom’s philosophy of life differ from Weston’s?
Ransom believes that every individual is very important, and that they deserve to be treated like humans, and with importance, while Weston believes that only the society as a whole matters.
4. Why does Ransom’s fear at the beginning of the space voyage gradually subside?
Because he comes to realize, and like how warm and cozy things are on the ship, and how warm and comforting the glow of the sun is. Plus, he is given tasks that make him seem like a necessary part of the group, for instance, he becomes the ship cook.
5. What does Ransom overhear that causes his fear to return?
He hears them talking about how they are going to use Ransom as a human sacrifice, and he hears them talking about the scary alien creatures that inhabit Malacandra.
6. How do Ransom’s actions show his attempt to regain control of his destiny?
Well, he grabs a knife for self-protection, and he plans to escape once they get to Malacandra. He is trying to find a way to get free.
7. Ransom is being held captive. Does he still have free will? Who is controlling his destiny? Explain you answer.
He has as much free will as he thinks he has. He could, if he wanted to, put a knife to Weston’s throat and force him to turn the ship around, though he doesn’t. He is still controlling his destiny, though his location is being controlled by Weston and Devine.
8. In Weston’s philosophy, the good for the majority outweighs individual rights. Ransom’s philosophy upholds individual rights. Which, if either, is correct?
I think that their needs to be a point in between the two, a middle point so to speak. Because depending on the situation, a single persons rights may need to be violated to do something for the good of the people, but we still need to value a person’s individual rights.
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