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