Author: William OFlaherty

New Feature – Resource Spotlight

William OFlaherty Resource Spotlight

Beginning January 2nd a new feature starts called “Resource Spotlight.” Plans are for this to be a weekly post. It will highlight either a Website in general, something unique at a Website or a resource (like a video or audio) available online that you shouldn’t miss.

You may recognize some of the sites or items featured because I’ve mentioned them within my previous articles. However, I figured it would be helpful to have a stand-alone place to visit to be reminded of, or discover other useful resources related to C.S. Lewis.

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 28th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

“On the Atomic Bomb (Metrical Experiment)” by Lewis was a poem printed today (12/28) in 1945 in The Spectator.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“In a rational world, things would be made because they were wanted; in the actual world, wants have to be created in order that people may receive money for making the things.”

Good Work and Good Works
(Published in Good Work in Christmas, 1959 issue)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Name an essay/article that Lewis wrote with the word “Christmas” in it.
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Charles Williams (CSLM-37)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute, Special Feature

This Inklings member had a very profound impact on C.S. Lewis, even though he died less than ten years after they became friends.

As noted in a previous post Lewis often met with a group of friends where they frequently discussed their writings. After reading Charles Williams’ The Place of the Lion Lewis developed a friendship with him. Williams was working at the Oxford University Press at the time.

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 27th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

On this day (12/27) in 1918 Lewis arrived home unexpectedly in the AM after being demobilized on the 24th.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Thirst was made for water; inquiry for truth.”

Who Goes Home? or The Grand Divorce VII
(Published in The Guardian on 12/22/1944)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

When this month (in what year) did Lewis write what essay that was related to one of his fictional works?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 26th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

“The End of the Wine” is a poem published in Punch on 12/3/47; a revised version called “The Last of the Wine” is in Poems.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“In this world everything is upside down. That which, if it could be prolonged here, would be a truancy, is likest that which in a better country is the End of ends. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”

Beyond the Bright Blur
(Published 12/25/1963; chapter 17 of Letters to Malcolm)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

The Silver Chair was the fourth published Narnia story, but in order of the chronologies of the plots it falls where?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 25th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

Beyond the Bright Blur was a limited edition title published today (12/25) in 1963 that contained chapters 15-17 of Letters to Malcolm.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“[God] must constantly work as the iconoclast. Every idea of Him we form, He must in mercy shatter. The most blessed result of prayer would be to rise thinking ‘But I never knew before, I never dreamed . . .'”

Beyond the Bright Blur
(Published 12/25/1963; chapter 15 of Letters to Malcolm)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Complete the quote and name the source (five words):
“There are a dozen views about everything ______ ______ _____ _______ _______ . Then there’s never more than one.”
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 24th

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

On this day (12/24) in 1918 Lewis was demobilized from the army after being discharged from the hospital.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“The degraded commercialism of our minds is quite as much its result as its cause.”

Good Work and Good Works
(Published in Good Work in Christmas, 1959 issue)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

On Christmas Eve in 1956 readers of The Times learn what surprising thing about Lewis?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 23rd

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

“Good Work and Good Works” by Lewis was published in the Christmas 1959 issue of Good Work (formerly Catholic Art Quarterly).

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“The apostle says every one must not only work but work to produce what is ‘good.'”

Good Work and Good Works
(Published in Good Work in Christmas, 1959 issue)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

What helpful thing does Lord Bern do and in which Narnia book does he do it?
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

Fact / Quote / Quiz: December 22nd

William OFlaherty Daily Lewis

FACT OF THE DAY:

“Who Goes Home? or The Grand Divorce VII” was published today (12/22) in 1944 in The Guardian.

– – –

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“I will bring you to the land not of questions but of answers, and you shall see the face of God.”

Who Goes Home? or The Grand Divorce VII
(Published in The Guardian on 12/22/1944)

– – –

QUIZ OF THE DAY:

Finish the quote and name the source (two words):
“Badness is only ____ _____ .”
(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)

RETROSPECTIVE: December 21st – 31st

William OFlaherty Jack in Retrospect, Special Feature

Highlights for the final third of December (21st – 31st) include: An essay about happiness, a special preview of a forthcoming book and two more installments of the eventual The Great Divorce.

Lewis had articles published in a large variety of places during his life. The final shorter work he wrote came out in The Saturday Evening Post less than a month after his death. “We Have No ‘Right to Happiness’” first appeared in their combined December 21-28, 1963 edition. The only other essay he wrote for them was the encore Screwtape piece mentioned last time. This article specifically attacks sexual happiness and was written at the invitation of the editor, Thomas Congdon. It begins with Lewis describing a comment by someone he calls “Clare” that defended the actions of others by stating “they have a right to happiness.”