A dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery.
C. S. LewisRead
At all ages, if [fantasy and myth] is used well by the author and meets the right reader, it has the same power: to generalize while remaining concrete, to present in palpable form not concepts or even experiences but whole classes of experience, and to throw off irrelevancies. Bat at its best it can do more; it can give us experiences we have never had and thus, instead of 'commenting on life,' can add to it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
C. S. Lewis emphasizes the power of fantasy and myth to enrich our understanding of life beyond mere commentary.
In this quote, C. S. Lewis asserts that well-crafted fantasy and myth possess a unique ability to convey profound truths while remaining relatable to readers. Rather than just reflecting our experiences, they can introduce new perspectives and enrich our lives by offering imaginative experiences that broaden our understanding of reality.
Themes
FantasyMythExperienceLiteratureCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a book club discussion about the role of fantasy in literature.
More from C. S. Lewis
All quotes →I enjoyed my breakfast this morning, and I think that was a good thing and do not think it was condemned by God. But I do not think myself a good man for enjoying it.
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Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.
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Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved.
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I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. It doesn't change God - it changes me.
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The instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred
C. S. LewisRead
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