Perelandra Chap. 8
Posted: January 6th, 2005, 12:15 am
Synopsis - Ransom awakes to find Weston has left the fixed island, something he can not belive possible considering Weston's condition. Ransom eventualy leaves the island for an orange floating island with the help of one of those huge silver fishes. On the way over Ransom observes humanlike aquantic beings and speculates on the origin of the King and Queen of Perelandra. Finally the fish brings Ransom to a floating island and Ransom is exhausted. He awakes in the dark to eavesdrop on a conversation between the Greeen Lady and someone he thinks might be Weston. The posessed Weston attempts to convince the Green Lady that life on the fixed land would be in her interest as well as the King's. He fails to do so, and Ransom goes back to sleep relived that disaster has been avoided.
This chapter appears to be Genesis revisited. I know, all of Perelandra seems to be a retelling of the opening chapters of Genesis. But chapter 8 focuses on two critical details. The first is the subject of evolution/creation, or more specificly the origin of the Adam and Eve of Perelandra. It's just a casual observaion from the back of helpfull fish, but it gives depth to the story. (Hmmm... Depth from the depths of the Perelandran ocean, but I digress) Ransom notes that the expressions on the faces of these mermen and mermaids are not idiotic but asleep. He speculates that the Green Lady and her King my have come from these sea-folk even though they are in fact the first conscious persons from the planet. Ransom compares the merpeople to our own pre-human ancestors. Lewis has managed to combine scientific theory with Christian revelation here.
Next, and more importantly there is the tempting of the Green Lady. In our world Satan used a serpent to get his message to Eve. On Perelandra Dr. Weston is the vehicle for the Dark One's doings. What I found interesting was the mild manner which the tempter used. The demon who possesed Weston spoke in a manner totaly unlike the bossy, demonstrative way of Weston. No wonder Ransom could not belive it was Weston speaking at first. It was only after the tempter had given up that the real Weston was allowed to give his opinion about calling it quits. The tempter is very carefull about how he tempts the Lady. He gives no hint about pride or rebellion against Maleldil. The wonderous part is that unlike Eve, the Green Lady did not give in to the suggestions of the tempter. Ransom was relived that his role, at least in this case, was that of a witness not a partisipant. It was totaly up to the Green Lady to accept or reject the temptation. More importantly, Ransom acts as our ears into this pivotal conversation.
This chapter appears to be Genesis revisited. I know, all of Perelandra seems to be a retelling of the opening chapters of Genesis. But chapter 8 focuses on two critical details. The first is the subject of evolution/creation, or more specificly the origin of the Adam and Eve of Perelandra. It's just a casual observaion from the back of helpfull fish, but it gives depth to the story. (Hmmm... Depth from the depths of the Perelandran ocean, but I digress) Ransom notes that the expressions on the faces of these mermen and mermaids are not idiotic but asleep. He speculates that the Green Lady and her King my have come from these sea-folk even though they are in fact the first conscious persons from the planet. Ransom compares the merpeople to our own pre-human ancestors. Lewis has managed to combine scientific theory with Christian revelation here.
Next, and more importantly there is the tempting of the Green Lady. In our world Satan used a serpent to get his message to Eve. On Perelandra Dr. Weston is the vehicle for the Dark One's doings. What I found interesting was the mild manner which the tempter used. The demon who possesed Weston spoke in a manner totaly unlike the bossy, demonstrative way of Weston. No wonder Ransom could not belive it was Weston speaking at first. It was only after the tempter had given up that the real Weston was allowed to give his opinion about calling it quits. The tempter is very carefull about how he tempts the Lady. He gives no hint about pride or rebellion against Maleldil. The wonderous part is that unlike Eve, the Green Lady did not give in to the suggestions of the tempter. Ransom was relived that his role, at least in this case, was that of a witness not a partisipant. It was totaly up to the Green Lady to accept or reject the temptation. More importantly, Ransom acts as our ears into this pivotal conversation.