That Hideous Strength - Conclusion

Though That Hideous Strength can be read alone, it's important to keep in mind it's the last book in Lewis' Space Trilogy, and it helps to read the first two books, which sets forth the cosmology background as well as important character background.

It also helps to understand the publication history of the Space Trilogy, as well as some other books Lewis published around this time, along with some broadcast talks he gave around then.

• Out of the Silent Planet - 1938
• BBC Broadcast talks about Christianity (1942-1944)
• The Case for Christianity -1942 (a pamphlet based on the BBC talks)
• Perelandra - 1943
• Christian Behavior - 1943 (a pamphlet based on the BBC talks)
• The Abolition of Man - 1943
• Beyond Personality - 1944 (a pamphlet based on the BBC talks)
• That Hideous Strength - 1945

By the time Lewis wrote That Hideous Strength, these other writings, talks, and pamphlets all influenced it,

especially The Abolition of Man.  In fact, some have identified the theme of That Hideous Strength, as a fictional treatment of the dystopian (opposite of utopian) project to carry out The Abolition of Man.  The final chapter of The Abolition of Man describes a distant future where a small group rules the majority by rejecting any moral system in favor of their whims and their "perfect" understanding.  They surrender rationality and thus give up their humanity.  They seek to convert mankind into essentially robots, and thus destroy their humanity.

In That Hideous Strength, much of this gets reflected in the NICE (The National Institute of Coordinated Experiments), a small group who seek to control mankind, who set aside any moral system to reach this goal, and who believe their understanding justifies their whims.  Mark gets sucked into this organization, and soon takes pride in writing articles which manipulates the public to achieve the NICE's goals.  It takes him awhile to learn what a hideous organization it really is.

To oppose the NICE, Lewis draws upon not only Christianity, but the richer world of Old England - of Logres, which always stands ready to keep modern Britain from straying too far.  So Merlin appears, ready to take action on behalf of the Pendragon, a successor to Arthur.  In addition, the other main angels of the different planets, the Oyeresu (often confused with the gods of mythology), descend to earth to assist and oppose the Oyarsa of Earth, the "Bent One" (Satan), who assists and secretly guides the NICE in its destructive behavior.  These forces assemble under the leadership of Ransom at St. Anne's who has a small collection of loyal followers, including Mark's wife, Jane.  Ransom is the current Pendragon, and though his actions, or inaction, often confuse his followers, they learn he knows exactly what he is doing (since the Oyeresu instruct him).

The story begins with Mark and Jane drifting apart - apparently heading towards divorce.  It ends with their drawing together again under the influence of Venus, who descends over St. Anne's.

That Hideous Strength, written as a dystopia novel, can be difficult to follow and read.  It helps to think of other dystopian novels when reading it, such as Gulliver's Travel (1725) by Johnathan Swift, or Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley.

Ch. 17 - Venus at St. Anne's

That Hideous Strength - Overview

Character List

That Hideous Strength - Ch 17 - Venus at St. Anne's

Birth of Venus - Sandro Botticelli - 1483-85

Mark gets a ride from a truck driver near St. Anne's.  But Mark takes his time because he feels shy - he's going to see Jane in her proper world, but not his - admitted out of kindness to Jane - but otherwise viewed suspiciously.  He also now saw that he assumed marriage gave him the power to take the freshness he saw in Jane.  He now understood all that must change, but how?

The ladies at St. Anne's wandered through a Wardrobe upstairs full of robes of state, and helped each other select elegant, sumptuous dresses for each other - then something shook.

Lord Feverstone tried to get back to Edgestow, only to encounter one difficulty after another, and to find everyone leaving it, since it was falling apart.  When he finally got there, he decided to leave, but couldn't.  Instead, the earth, destroyed as it was, swallowed him up.

Meanwhile, back at St. Anne's, Dimble explains to the group that Logres (Old England) has always struggled against Britain, and seeks to prod it out of its stupor.  He briefly explains its history from this perspective.  He goes on to explain how the last in a long unbroken Pendragons passed the office on to Ransom, who will soon pass it on to someone else before leaving for Avalon (where Arthur still lives by legend).

Back at Edgestow, Curry had difficulty with the train, which stopped moving, and he came to be informed that all of Bracton College had been destroyed.  Suddenly, he looked forward to being the founder of a new Bracton College, and all the prestige that would bring him.

At St. Anne's, Ransom declares Venus herself was over St. Anne's;  for Mr. Bultitude (the bear) had returned with Mrs. Bultitude, and after the Director laid hands on them, they blundered out together into the warmth and wetness of the fragrant midsummer night.  Other animals paired off in a similar manner.  Ransom, laid his hands on the Dimbles, and they went off arm in arm.  He sent Ivy off to be with her husband released from jail, Tom.  Finally he sent Jane off to be with her husband (Mark) waiting for her at the lodge.

Mark reflected on all his failings as a husband, and expected Jane to send him away.  Suddenly, he noticed someone like a woman woman divinely tall, inhumanely beautiful, opening a door for him.  He went in and found a place of sweet smells, bright fires, food and wine, and a rich bed.

Jane went into the liquid light and supernatural warmth of the garden - across the wet lawn, going down to the lodge.  She thought about what if Mark did not want her?  Then she noticed the bedroom window was open - Mark's clothes lay all over the chair, the sill, and the outside wall.  She thought it was high time she went in.

Chapter 16 - Banquet at Belbury

That Hideous Strength - Conclusion

Overview - That Hideous Strength

Character List