Out of the Silent Planet Chapters 18-20 Quiz

Questions and Answers

How has fear driven Ransom since he first left Earth?

Fear of being a human sacrifice, fear of the hnakra, and fear of the seroni (sorns) drove him to the hrossa and kept him from going to Oyarsa.

What does Ransom learn from Oyarsa about the history of Earth?

Ransom learns that Earth had an Oyarsa who was greater than the Oyarsa of Malacandra, but who became evil and caused destruction, including making Earth's moon a wasteland.

Who is the Bent One?

Satan (Lucifer)

How is Weston's response to Oyarsa ironic?

Weston responds to Oyarsa as if he were a primitive witch doctor, underestimating the intelligence of the Malancandrians. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what Oyarsa means when he says the lord of the silent planet has 'bent' Weston and 'broken' Devine.

Oyarsa indicates that Weston has been corrupted by his high ideals being twisted to serve evil, while Devine is purely driven by greed. Signup and view all the answers

Was Ransom acting on his own will or was Oyarsa controlling his destiny? Explain your answer.

Both are true; Oyarsa controlled circumstances but not Ransom's choices, similar to how God knows outcomes without forcing actions. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think Ransom would have said about what Maleldil has done in Thulcandra?

He would have explained the gospel in their terms, focusing on Maleldil coming to Earth as a man and sacrificing himself. Signup and view all the answers

What makes voluntary surrender different from forced surrender?

Voluntary surrender respects individual choice, while forced surrender imposes one human will upon another. Signup and view all the answers

What human achievements does Weston list as proof of man's right to dominate Malacandra?

Science, medicine, law, military strength, architecture, commerce, and developments in transportation. Signup and view all the answers

Do these achievements rightly demonstrate man's superiority? Why or why not?

No, they do not demonstrate moral or spiritual authority, only different values and skills. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fear's Influence on Ransom

Ransom's escape is driven by his fear of becoming a human sacrifice.
The presence of the hnakra, a dangerous creature, intensifies his urge to flee.
He feels fear towards seroni (sorns), which prevents him from approaching Oyarsa as intended.

Ransom's Discovery about Earth

Ransom learns that Earth once had a powerful Oyarsa who turned evil.
This fallen Oyarsa transformed Earth's moon into a wasteland and inflicted "cold death" on Malancandra.
Other Oyarsas united to defeat this evil force, banishing him back to Earth.

Identification of the Bent One

The Bent One refers to Satan, also known as Lucifer.

Irony in Weston's Attitude

Weston underestimates the intelligence of the Malancandrians, mirroring Ransom's initial misconceptions.
Ironically, Weston perceives Oyarsa as a mere primitive, dismissing the higher intelligence present and seeing himself as superior.

Defining "Bent" and "Broken"

Oyarsa describes Weston as "bent" because his high ideals serve evil ends, blinding him to his evil actions.
Devine is characterized as "broken," motivated solely by greed, lacking noble purpose.

Ransom’s Choice and Oyarsa’s Influence

Oyarsa has orchestrated events to guide Ransom, such as sending the hnakra, but Ransom believes he acts on free will.
The debate revolves around whether Ransom is exercising free choice or if Oyarsa controls his destiny.

Ransom's Gospel Explanation

Ransom might have described the gospel in relation to Maleldil, emphasizing the sacrifice made for humanity.
He is interrupted before fully articulating this, leaving his explanation unknown.

Voluntary vs. Forced Surrender

Ransom exemplifies voluntary surrender of will for a higher purpose, contrasting with Weston’s philosophy of imposing will upon others.
The distinction lies in individual choice: voluntary surrender respects personal agency, whereas forced surrender strips it away.

Weston's Argument for Superiority

Weston lists various achievements (science, medicine, military, commerce) as proof of civilized man’s dominance.
These accomplishments reflect human skill but do not demonstrate moral or spiritual authority, questioning claims of superiority over Malacandra.

Description

Test your understanding of chapters 18, 19, and 20 of C.S. Lewis's 'Out of the Silent Planet'. Explore key themes, character motivations, and pivotal plot points as you reflect on Ransom's journey and the implications of fear. This quiz features flashcard-style questions to enhance your learning experience.