Christian Authors - Module 1

Where did the Inklings meet as a group?

- at Oxford - at The Bird and Baby

"Lord of the Rings assures us, both by its ________ and its ___________, that the _________ cannot _________ _________."

1. existence 2. message 3. darkness 4. forever

What percentage of Tolkien's described characters are female?

18%

According to this article, about how many casualties did Britain sustain during the war? Consider how small Britain is as you see this number.

3 million

Who are the main characters in the work you chose. Give a brief description of each.

A few of the main characters in The Hobbit include Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin, and the dwarves.

What was The Viking Club?

A group for students to read Old Norse Sagas

Write a 3-5 sentence biography of one of Oxford's influential people.

Alan Bennett was a 20-21st century playwright whose success rooted from his education at Oxford University. He then became a lecturer for history at the college but quit to write plays full-time. He wrote about England and different things like education, proprietary, and other current topics. Bennett also wrote many books and short-stories. He has won many awards and several of his plays and books have been turned into films.

On which side did Britain fight?

Allies

You may have to do a little research to answer this question.

Anglican

What was C.S. Lewis' pseudonym?

Clive Hamilton

Tales designed specifically as spoofs of other serious fantasies, or containing humorous elements to a light-hearted tale.

Comic Fantasy

Choose one of the above books and explain why it is fantasy. You may need to read a summary of the work to come up with your answer. List at least three elements that make it fantasy.

Harry Potter is a fantasy because it involves many fictional things like magic and wizardry, alternate universes, and many animal-like characters.

What role did Rayner Unwin play in the publication of The Lord of the Rings?

He convinced his father to publish it even if it took a loss.

What was Tolkien's biggest objection to Unwin's ideas for publishing The Lord of the Rings?

He did not was to divide it into three parts.

Under what conditions did Tolkien come up with the idea for The Hobbit?

He found a blank paper in a stack of exams he was grading.

What did Lewis do with the money from his book sales and royalties?

He gave most of it away to charitable agencies and impoverished people.

In what unconventional way did Lewis come up with some of the characters for his novel?

He had dreams about them.

How did Lewis suffer for being a Christian?

He lost his job and many of his closest friends with his conversion.

For being such a prolific writer, what seems most odd about Chesterton's experiences?

He never went to college.

For being hailed as a great British author, what is surprising about Tolkien's birth?

He was born in South Africa.

Chesterton often debated and won against prominent philosophers and writers of his day; how did his opponents feel about Chesterton?

He was relevant

What role did Rayner Unwin play in the publication of The Hobbit?

He wrote a report for his father saying it was a good book.

Fantastical worlds with an almost middle-ages feel, peopled with wizards and sorcerers, communing with dragons and riding pet unicorns to tame a battalion of wild orcs and goblins. Heroes are generally muscle-bound sword-wielding types, determined to rescue a true damsel in distress. Magic is an accepted part of life, although the workings of such are usually left unexplained within this sub-genre.

Heroic Fantasy

According to the author of this article, what is the real (Christian) power of Tolkien's work?

His ability to make the unseen hand of providence felt by the reader

What event essentially alienated Tolkien from his extended family?

His mother's conversion to Roman Catholicism

Based on Colby's list, which do you think is the most helpful piece of advice and why?

I think the most helpful piece of advice on Colby's list was "let your interests drive your writing" because I agree that anything you work on that is truly fascinating to you will have a much better outcome.

After doing just a little research on another of Tolkien's works, do you think you would want to read it? Why or why not?

I would definitely be interested in reading The Hobbit because I think I would enjoy the fantasy of the unique characters, places, and events.

After reading the brief history of The University of Oxford, give just three words that you think best describe the university's atmosphere. Then, explain in a paragraph why you chose those specific words providing support from the article you read.

I would describe The University of Oxford as professional, advanced, and high class. I chose professional because the students seem to take their education very seriously. I chose advanced because many impacting and influential people went to Oxford, and they have contributed to the advancements that make up our world today. Lastly, I chose high class because many people of royalty or of a high ranking have been associated with Oxford.

In your opinion, what is it about The University of Oxford that inspired and encouraged writers like Tolkien and Lewis?

In my opinion, the success and dedication of The University of Oxford is what inspired and encourage writers like Tolkien and Lewis.

Where is Lewis originally from?

Ireland

Who was the first to join C.S. Lewis in the group?

Owen Barfield

What comes to mind when you hear the words "Fantasy Literature"?

When I think of "Fantasy Literature," I think of stories that have at least one element that separates it from reality. I think of unrealistic creatures or animals, magic, made-up places, and constant action and adventures.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Yes, this is fantasy

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Yes, this is fantasy

Now that you have a basic understanding of the elements of fantasy literature, I want you to decide if certain works would be considered fantasy or not. You may need to look up a story synopsis if you are not familiar with the work. Watership Down by Richard Adams

Yes, this is fantasy

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Yes, this is fantasy

What was probably the most significant contribution made by Albert and Florence to Warnie and Jack's lives?

a love for reading

What is a Eucatastrope?

a tale including sorrow and failure that ends happily

Which group of words would best describe Chesterton's personality?

absent minded, witty, deep

According to the statistics, on average do dwarves or hobbits live longer?

dwarves

Which word best describes Mabel Tolkien's relationship with her family and her deceased husband's family after her conversion to Roman Catholicism?

estranged

What do the red dots on the map represent?

events that take place in all the various stories of middle earth

Which best describes Lewis' relationship with Joy Greshem?

happy

Which word best describes how both Tolkien and Lewis felt about fighting in the war?

hesitant

Which of the following is not an identifying characteristic of Chesterton's physical appearance?

his monocle

What event plays the most significant role in Jack becoming an atheist?

his mother's death

What does Lewis ultimately owe to Tolkien and Dyson?

his salvation

What was the most notable change in Lewis' life after his conversion?

his writing

Which race of Middle Earth has the most female characters?

hobbits

After Edith passed away, where did Tolkien live?

in rooms at Oxford

Chesterton was a prolific writer, but which type of writing did he consider his primary mode?

not novels

The socio-economic status of the Tolkien family while growing up could best be described as which of the following?

poor

Though Tolkien and Lewis became very good friends, what does Lewis say could have made their friendship difficult?

religion and literary theory

The dwarves Fili and Kili die at ages 82 and 77, respectively. Is this a long or short life in comparison to most dwarves' lives?

short

What role did Father Francis play in Tolkien's life?

spiritual advisor and later caretaker

When Mabel Tolkien passed away, where did the Tolkien boys consider home?

the Oratory

What is C.S. Lewis referring to when he says "the true myth"?

the life of Christ

The author concludes that the way Tolkien and Lewis handle the horrors they saw was to "hold on to the possibility of goodness." Ultimately, what causes them to hold on to this hope?

they both believed in God

The author points out that both Lewis and Tolkein have a clear motif that runs through a majority of their works. What is it?

war

According to Ahlquist, why is Chesterton not given his rightful place in literature and philosophy?

Because though he was right, his arguments were and are unpopular.

What event led Britain to join the War when they really had no stake in it?

Belgium was invaded.

What were the two opposing side in WWI called?

Central and Allies

The Inklings was primarily a group which was used to further the literary careers of those who participated.

False

Tolkien believed that ancient poets expressed the direct truth of God.

False

Write a 3-5 sentence biography of one of Oxford's influential people.

Gertrude Bell was a 19-20th century Oxford student, explorer, archeologist. She travelled to many places in the Middle East and wrote about her experiences. Gertrude Bell has left an impacting legacy as she has contributed to Middle Eastern politics and museums such as the National Museum of Iraq and an archeological museum in Baghdad.

What other famous person died the same day Lewis died?

John F. Kennedy

Who came up with the name "The Inklings"?

Lean

While studying at Exeter College, what was Tolkien's primary focus?

Learning languages

Which of the following was NOT a new technology used for the first time in World War I?

NOT steel helmets

What is a "Supposal" story?

NOT when the reader has to suppose certain things....

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

No, this is not fantasy

Who is the longest living hobbit?

Smeagol

What is the basic plot line of the story? You can write it as a summary or on a plot line chart.

The Hobbit is a story about Bilbo Baggins and the quest he goes on. Many events occur and he meets several people on the way, which allows him to learn, grow, and mature. At the end of the quest, he wins the treasure and is a changed person.

What is the first thing you noticed when you opened the map?

The first thing I noticed when I opened the map was how detailed it was. There are so many different places, and each place has it's own story.

Reword Tolkien's explanation of why they used the name "Inklings."

The name "Inklings" was created for a group of people who enjoyed write and had vague or faint ideas and thoughts.

According to the excerpt from the Encyclopedia Britannica how did the people of Europe generally perceive the outbreak of World War I? List two reasons why they initially had these perceptions.

The people of Europe did not think too much about the outbreak of World War I. They assumed that the war would last only a few months and that they would be victorious. They did not realize that the war would be so full of destruction. They came into the war with either a patriotic or idealistic mindset.

What is the setting or settings of the story (location, time, season, etc.)?

The story takes place in Middle Earth. Many places it in include Bag-End, the Lone-lands, Rivendell, the Misty Mountains, Mirkwood, Laketown, the Lonely Mountain, and more.

Explain why the words "Luthien" and "Beren" appear on the single grave that the Tolkiens share.

The words "Luthien" and "Beren" appear on the single grave that the Tolkiens share because they are the two characters that Tolkien feels he and his wife deeply relate to.

How did The Father Christmas Letters come about?

They were originally letters to his children.

Under what circumstances were The Chronicles of Narnia written?

They were written from stories used to entertain children who had been evacuated during the war.

Explain why Tolkien considered his mother a martyr for the faith.

Tolkien considered his mother a martyr for the faith because she died as a strong christian who made many sacrifices to benefit Tolkien and to keep his faith strong.

What does the author mean by the term "cradle convert"?

Tolkien joined the Catholic church at a young age.

What role does his discovery of the poem Crist by Cynewulf play in Tolkien's life?

Tolkien's discovery of the poem Crist by Cynewulf inspired his fascination with poetry.

Lewis originally told Tolkien that myths were worthless lies.

True

Tolkien believed that myths were one way of expressing truth.

True

Understanding Tolkien's explanation of God as the ultimate poet creating a true myth in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is one thing that convinced Lewis to become a Christian.

True

This article gives not only the history of the publishing of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but it also gives insight into Tolkien as a person. Give three character qualities that Unwin ascribes to Tolkien.

Unwin describes Tolkien as modest, kind, and enthusiastic.

We have already discussed Tolkien's participation in WWI in another lesson, but it is interesting to see it in relation to the larger whole of his life. Based on this particular description, what about the war do you think most impacted his life and writing? Explain why you think that.

WWI affected Tolkien's life and writing in many ways. It was not a good time for him because he had to suffer the loss of many friends and soldiers. Additionally, he was very ill during the war. He used his experiences in the war for his writing.