One thing I find C.S. Lewis to be particularly adept at is titling his books, it is one of my favorite qualities in his writing. Choosing the right title for a piece is difficult and important; the title tells the reader what is in store, gives first impressions to a reader, and summarizes the entirety of the piece in a few words. I love how C.S. Lewis picks each word in a title deliberately, encouraging the full gravity and meaning of the words to be heard. Additionally he is a master of subtlety; Lewis doesn't hit readers over the head with his titles. Instead of "How To Tempt A Human: Strategies for Junior Tempters," Lewis choose The Screwtape Letters; explaining the contents of the book just as well as the first title with the added benefit of respecting the readers intelligence. Letting us put the pieces together makes readers feel good and more invested.
Let's analyze a Lewis title, The Weight of Glory, word by word, each piece works in awesome harmony with the rest to create a profound title.
The: Pretty obvious, an article referring to the subject of the title.
Weight: Awesome "feel" word. Weight invokes thoughts of something substantial, real and tangible. It is something that once it comes into contact with you, will irrevocably change your state of being.
of: Also obvious, refers to where the weight is coming from.
Glory: Glory is an excellent word that everyone knows. Even if you haven't heard the word glory, you know the concept of honor and praise. This glory is going to come down from somewhere and flatten us, change us, and be unmistakable. You can't ignore it.
The Weight of Glory...beautiful stuff.
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