Publication Date
Fall 12-7-2016
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
English
Keywords
C. S. Lewis, Naturalism, Supernaturalism, Imagination, The Chronicles of Narnia, Miracles, Anscombe
Disciplines
Children's and Young Adult Literature | Christianity | Literature in English, British Isles | Modern Literature | Reading and Language | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Reichenbach, Allison P., "Imagination as a Response to Naturalism: C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia in Light of the Anscombe Affair" (2016). Senior Honors Theses. 621.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/621
Abstract
In this paper I suggest The Chronicles of Narnia were occasioned by Elizabeth Anscombe’s critique of chapter three of Miracles. Instead of a retreat from debate, The Chronicles show that the Supernatural is not something to be contemplated, but instead experienced. In the stories, the children’s dominant naturalism and ignorance of Supernaturalism personally encounter the highest Supernatural being. When transitioning from Miracles to The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis’s writing altered from operating under the Argument from Reason to the experience of imagination in order for the reader to personally experience – not contemplate – Supernaturalism. Fairytale, romance, and archetypes create the perfect framework for the reader to enjoy the hidden divinity of Supernaturalism in The Chronicles without distracting him with contemplation.
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Christianity Commons, Literature in English, British Isles Commons, Modern Literature Commons, Reading and Language Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
