Questions and Answers
What genre does C.S. Lewis say he is writing in?
What does Lewis say he is not doing in his book?
Attempting to imagine what the real heaven and hell might actually be like
Describe the attitudes of the people waiting in line.
Fighting, cheating, complaining, and negative
How does the narrator describe the bus and the driver?
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According to the tousle-headed poet, how did he come to live in the grey town?
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What does the tousle-headed poet hope to find in the 'other place'?
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What historical figure lives in the 'empire style house' that is millions of miles away?
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What does Napoleon do all day?
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Napoleon says he will never give up on his prides/beliefs.
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According to the intelligent man, what is wrong with the grey town?
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What does the intelligent man say is wrong with houses?
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What does he say about what happens at night in the grey town?
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The narrator describes the passengers' faces when the lights hit them.
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When they get to the other world, what does the narrator discover about himself and the other passengers' bodies?
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How do many of the passengers react to this new environment?
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How long does the driver say that the passengers can stay?
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How are the visitors from this new world described?
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Big Man meets a guy named then that is...
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The Big Man was happy to see Len.
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What does Len encourage him to do?
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The Big Man doesn't want to ask for grace; he believes he did his best.
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What does the Big Man finally decide to do and why?
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How does the cultured Ghost and Dick know each other?
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Why does Dick say his friend was sent to grey town?
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What simple instructions does Dick give to the ghost, so that he will be able to join him in heaven?
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If the ghost was to join his friend, what does he desire in heaven?
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What does Dick mean when he tells his friend to 'become that child again, even now?'
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What is the final reason for not going with Dick?
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What happens when Ikey picks up the apple?
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Ikey puts down the apple and stays.
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What biblical allusion is Lewis making with the capitalized 'T' in Tree?
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How would you describe the hard bitten ghost in one word?
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What does he say about the offer to remain in heaven?
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Study Notes
The Great Divorce: Chapters 1-7 Overview
- C.S. Lewis states he is writing in the genre of fantasy, aiming to explore concepts of heaven and hell uniquely.
- Lewis clarifies that he is not attempting to accurately portray real heaven or hell but uses imaginative fiction to convey deeper truths.
- The attitudes of characters waiting in line are characterized by negativity, including fighting, cheating, and complaining.
Description of Key Elements
- The bus and its driver are described as brightly colored and "blazing with golden light," creating an otherworldly presence that feels unnatural.
- The tousle-headed poet reveals he arrived in the grey town by jumping in front of a train, suggesting a longing for escape.
- In the "other place," the poet hopes to find appreciation and recognition, reflecting his desire for validation.
Historical Figures and Their Actions
- Napoleon is noted for living in an "empire style house" that is distant from the others, showcasing his significant historical stature.
- Napoleon spends his time pacing and blaming others for his perceived failures and loss.
Perspectives on Existence in the Grey Town
- The intelligent man critiques the grey town, stating that its residents lack genuine needs and are deprived of "real commodities."
- He points out that the houses do not keep out rain, emphasizing their inadequacy in providing comfort.
- There is a fear in the grey town, with residents anxious about a mysterious "them" that haunts the night.
Reactions to the New Environment
- Upon arrival in the new world, the narrator discovers he and others are akin to ghosts, lacking substantial physical forms.
- Many passengers exhibit fear in response to the unfamiliar environment, highlighting their trepidation in the face of change.
Passengers' Duration and Characteristics
- Passengers are informed by the driver that they can remain in the new realm for as long as they wish, suggesting freedom of choice.
- Visitors from this new realm are depicted as ageless and naked, symbolizing purity and a state of being devoid of earthly burdens.
Interactions and Moral Choices
- The Big Man encounters a character named Len, who reveals his past as a murderer, reflecting themes of guilt and redemption.
- The Big Man's emotional response to Len is negative; he does not welcome Len's presence and struggles with his past.
- Len urges the Big Man to ask for grace or "bleeding charity," highlighting the book's theme of seeking forgiveness.
Friendship and Repentance
- The cultured Ghost and Dick are former university friends, illustrating connections that transcend their current circumstances.
- Dick explains that his friend was sent to the grey town due to his loss of true faith, introducing the idea of faith as a pathway to redemption.
- He advises his friend to "repent and believe," offering a simple yet profound guide to spiritual awakening.
Aspirations for Heaven
- The ghost expresses a desire for his talents to be useful and for an "atmosphere of free inquiry" in heaven, indicating a thirst for knowledge and purpose.
- Dick encourages his friend to have faith and reconnect with God's truth, embodying childlike belief and innocence.
Final Choices and Consequences
- The ghost ultimately decides against joining Dick, stating he must return to the grey town to fulfill his commitments, reflecting human tendencies to cling to old roles.
Symbolism and Allegory
- The "water giant" warns Ikey, saying "fool, put it down," when Ikey tries to pick up the apple, symbolizing temptation and the fall from grace.
- Ikey does not stay, illustrating the choice to resist the offering of grace and the challenges of accepting spiritual gifts.
Thematic Reflections
- Lewis employs a biblical allusion with the capitalized "Tree," referencing the biblical Garden of Eden and themes of temptation and knowledge.
- The hard-bitten ghost is best described as cynical, showcasing a stark contrast to the hopeful message of redemption.
- Skepticism prevails for this ghost, who dismisses heaven's offerings as lies and propaganda, representing a resistance to accepting faith.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the first seven chapters of C.S. Lewis's 'The Great Divorce' with these flashcards. Covering key concepts and attitudes depicted in the text, this quiz will help you deepen your understanding of Lewis's themes of heaven and hell.
