J.C. Comeau #3, The Great Myth in the Space Trilogy

In Lewis’ Myth Became Fact, he argues that the Christian myth is ever important to the understanding of morality, right and wrong, and the business of life itself.  He says that when we try to throw out the story, we lose the meaning and the abstractions; but he goes on to say that this story in particular carries an even greater weight because it is true, the story is no longer myth.  With this perspective, the entire space trilogy is illuminated.  Lewis uses the larger Christian narrative as a foundation for the story he tells, and subsequently uses his own narrative to teach about right and wrong, good and evil, and the choices we make.  Lewis’ appreciation and belief in the Christian story can be seen as so essential to his view of the world, that he sought to expand upon it, knowing that the elements of such a story could teach and nourish his own readers, whether they be of the Christian faith or not.  I think this perspective not only enhances Lewis’ background narrative, but also explains why Lewis chose to create a world based off of the Christian narrative, rather than start anew.  From Lewis’ perspective, we can ask ourselves: what better place to start than with the truth?  And once again, through the Narnia series, Lewis seems to have come to the same conclusion: there is none better.