TEST #3:  C. S. Lewis' THE GREAT DIVORCE

   1. The literary genera in which THE GREAT DIVORCE is written is known as
 fantasy.  Fantasy could be described as: 

   2. Why do you suppose Lewis used the literary genera of fantasy to write
 about heaven and hell in THE GREAT DIVORCE?


   3. Besides THE GREAT DIVORCE, name three other pieces of fantasy literature:
         a. 
         b. 
         c. 

   4. What does Laurence Perrine mean by saying that "Truth in fiction is
 not the same as fidelity to fact"?


   5. Certain Elements of Fiction are used by Lewis in telling his tale:
 identify the elements below as they apply to THE GREAT DIVORCE by filling
 in the appropriate blanks:
         A. SETTING
         B. PLOT
             1. Conflict(s)               examples from THE GREAT DIVORCE
                 a. Man vs. Man:                             vs. 
                 b. Man vs. Nature:                        vs. 
                 c. Man vs. Self:                          vs.                                           d.
 Man vs. God:                      vs. 
         C. CHARACTER
             1. Protagonist: 
             2. Antagonist: 
         D. THEME
             A major theme (purpose): 
         E. STYLE
             1. Symbols: a symbol is: 
                 some symbols used in THE GREAT DIVORCE:
                      the symbols                what the symbols represent:
                  a. 
                  b. 
                  c. 
             2. Point of View from which the story is told:
                 Options:         a.             
                                  b.                         (check the one
                                  c.                             Lewis used)

   6. What is the significance of the title, "THE GREAT DIVORCE"?


   7. Give some ways in which Lewis describes hell:
         a.
         b.
         c.

         How does Lewis' hell differ from hell as described in Scripture? 

   8. What does Lewis think of Blake's "Marriage of Heaven and Hell"?
   

   9. As a caution to his readers, Lewis states in his Preface to THE GREAT
 DIVORCE that the last thing he wants to do in this work is to: 
         

   10. Also from the Preface, Lewis states, "I believe, to be sure, that any
 man who reaches Heaven will find that what he abandoned (even in plucking
 out his right eye) was precisely:

   11. In what sense do those who choose the wrong road not necessarily perish?


 From THE GREAT DIVORCE ITSELF:

   1. According the fat, clean-shaven man on the bus (the Episcopal ghost),
 how is hell viewed in educated circles?

   2. In what sense is hell locked from the inside?

   3. How is it that some people actually prefer hell to heaven?

   4. Upon investigation, what was Napoleon seen to be doing in hell?


   5. What is the purpose of the solid person blowing a horn to summon a
 herd of unicorns toward the Decent Lady ghost?

   6. The name of Lewis' guide/mentor in heaven is: 

   7. What is the difference between being a grumbler and a grumble?
         a. a grumbler: 
         b. a grumble: 

   
   8. What is the name of the Great Lady who is attended by bright spirits
 in heaven?
       Of what significance is her name?


   9. In one place, Lewis' guide says:
         "There are only two kinds of people in the end:
             those who say to God  
         and those to whom God says in the end, All that are in hell choose
 it.  Without that self-choice there would be no Hell."
         Do you agree?  Why or why not?


   10. The lizard on the shoulder of one of the ghosts turns into a
         Of what significance is this transformation?


   11. How can an apparent excess of mother's love for her son (whose
                              name was actually be a defect of love?


   12. How does the Tragedian's form of love differ from his heavenly wife's
 form of love?
         a. the Tragedian: 
         b. the Tragedian's wife: 

   13. In what sense does true love for another not "need" the person loved?


  14. How can pity be used in the wrong way?
   

   15. How big is hell when compared to heaven?

   16. The characteristic whereby men most resemble God is 
         
   17. What is the significance of the final chapter (Ch. 14)?


   
   18. Laurence Perrine states: "Truth in fiction is not the same as
 fidelity to fact."
       What "truths in fiction" does Lewis communicate in THE GREAT DIVORCE?
         a. __________________________________________________
         b. __________________________________________________
         c. ___________________________________________________
         d. ___________________________________________________


 FINAL RESPONSE:

             Laurence Perrine speaks of Escape (Entertainment) Literature and
 Interpretative Literature .
        Give characteristics of each below:

                 Escape (Entertainment)          Interpretative Literature
                       Literature
    a.                                           a. 
    b.                                           b. 
    c.                                           c. 
    d.                                           d. 
    e.                                           e. 

    In light of the characteristics above, do you feel that THE GREAT DIVORCE
         is:     ___ Escape (Entertainment) Literature
             or ___ Interpretative Literature

        Explain your choice below: