On this episode of “Poetry Month”, David interviews Dr. Karen Swallow Prior about C.S. Lewis’ first published collection of poetry, “Spirits In Bondage”.
S5E61: Poetry Month: “Spirits In Bondage”, After Hours with Dr. Karen Swallow Prior (Download)
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Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
“I was at this time living, like so many Atheists or Antitheists, in a whirl of contradictions. I maintained that God did not exist. I was also very angry with God for not existing. I was equally angry with Him for creating a world”
C.S. Lewis, Surprised By Joy (Chapter 7)
Biographical Information
Dr. Karen Swallow Prior is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service and her writing has appeared in publications such as: Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and First Things. She is host of the podcast Jane and Jesus and she is the author of many books, including: On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books and Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More—Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist.
Guest Biographical Information
Chit-Chat
- …
Beverage and Toast
- David was drinking Earl Grey.
- Dr. Karen had a Pepsi earlier in the day.
- They toasted Patreon supporter, Erica.
Discussion
1. “Background”
As we begin, would you mind telling the listeners a little more about yourself and your background?
2. “Author”
I mentioned some of your other books in the introduction. Would you say a word or two about them?
3. “Jane and Jesus”
You also run the podcast Jane and Jesus. What do you talk about there?
4. “Encountering Jack”
Before we start talking about Lewis’ poetry, when did Jack appear in your life?
5. “Lexham Press Forward”
As I said earlier, in 2020, Lexham Press released a lovely new printing of Spirits In Bondage and they were kind enough to send me a copy. There were many thoughtful endorsements at the beginning of the book from folks such as Dr. Michael Ward and our previous episode’s guest, Dr. Don W. King, but you were invited to write the Forward. Can you tell us about this new edition and your involvement in it?
6. “Responding to Early Lewis”
What do you make of this “early Lewis”?
7. “Historical Context”
Can you please give some context for our listeners? When did Lewis write this work and what was happening in his life at the time?
8. Book Structure”
How is the collection structured and why does Lewis call it a “cycle” of lyrics?
9. “Main Themes”
What would you say are the main themes of the work?
10. “Poetic Forms and Influences”
What poetic forms does Lewis use in his book and what would you say are some of his influences?
11. “Reception”
How was the book received by the public and what do you think of it?
12. “Intimidated by Poetry”
What might you say to encourage those who haven’t read much poetry?
13. “Poem #1: French Nocturne”
…
There comes a buzzing plane: and now, it seems
Flies straight into the moon. Lo! where he steers
Across the pallid globe and surely nears
In that white land some harbour of dear dreams!…
What call have I to dream of anything?
C.S. Lewis, French Nocturne
I am a wolf. Back to the world again,
And speech of fellow-brutes that once were men
Our throats can bark for slaughter: cannot sing.
14. “Poem #2: In Praise of Solid People”
Thank God that there are solid folk
Who water flowers and roll the lawn,
And sit and sew and talk and smoke,
And snore all through the summer dawn.
Who pass untroubled nights and days
Full-fed and sleepily content,
Rejoicing in each other’s praise,
Respectable and innocent.Who feel the things that all men feel,
And think in well-worn grooves of thought,
Whose honest spirits never reel
Before man’s mystery, overwrought.Yet not unfaithful nor unkind,
with work-day virtues surely staid,
Theirs is the sane and humble mind,
And dull affections undismayed.…
Then suddenly, again, the room,
Familiar books about me piled,
And I alone amid the gloom,
By one more mocking dream beguiledAnd still no nearer to the Light,
And still no further from myself,
Alone and lost in clinging night
– (The clock’s still sticking on the shelf).Then do I envy solid folk
C.S. Lewis, In Praise of Solid People
Who sit of evenings by the fire,
After their work and doze and smoke,
And are not fretted by desire
Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?Answer.
Walt Whitman, O Me! O Life!
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
15. “Why read Spirits in Bondage?”
…
More Information
- Dr. Karen Swallow Prior (Website)
- Spirits In Bondage (Lexham Press | Eighth Day Books)
