Exploring Lewis's Space Trilogy

In this podcast episode, Professor Alistair McGrath delves into CS Lewis's lesser-known Space Trilogy, consisting of the books 'Out of the Silent Planet,' 'Perelandra,' and 'That Hideous Strength.' McGrath discusses Lewis's imaginative creation of the planets in the trilogy, such as Malacandra and Perelandra, which do not necessarily have direct references in actual inspirations. The podcast explores the themes of expectations and intuition that the main character, Ransom, encounters when he arrives on the planet Malacandra. McGrath suggests that Lewis encourages us to reconsider our intuitive judgments and preconceived notions about natural environments. Additionally, the podcast delves into the distinction between rational and non-rational beings in the novel and how Lewis challenges the assumption of human intellectual hierarchy over extraterrestrial life. The episode also examines Ransom's encounter with a Malacandran creature and the concept of attraction expressed using words reminiscent of sexual attraction. Overall, the podcast uncovers the complex and thought-provoking themes addressed in Lewis's Space Trilogy.