

Reading Literature with C.S. Lewis / Leland Ryken
Jan 4, 2024
Leland Ryken, a literary scholar and author with a deep passion for C.S. Lewis, shares fascinating insights into Lewis's literary criticism. He explores five key characteristics of Lewis's work, revealing how personal experiences shape his engaging views. Ryken emphasizes the transformative power of literature and its ability to enhance reality. The discussion also highlights the importance of metaphor and allegory and showcases Lewis's witty critiques of poets and writers, blending humor with profound literary insights.
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Ideal Reading
- Leland Ryken shares C.S. Lewis's ideal reading experience.
- It involves large, illustrated editions, rainy days, and Italian epics by the sea.
Literature as World-Making
- C.S. Lewis views literature as world-making, inviting readers into distinct imaginative realms.
- These worlds offer unique characteristics, separating them from empirical reality.
Escapism and Reality
- Ryken highlights Lewis's analysis of "The Wind in the Willows."
- It enhances our appreciation for real life despite being escapist.