Tag Archives: literary criticism

The Loss of Atmosphere: A Literary Conspiracy by Larry Niven & C.S. Lewis?

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

Perhaps the essay that C.S. Lewis took the longest to write is “On Stories.” It began as an Oxford talk in 1940 called, “The Kappa Element in Romance.” After Charles Williams’ death 70 years ago this week in 1945, Lewis … Continue reading →

Posted in Fictional Worlds, Memorable Quotes | Tagged C.S. Lewis, fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, Larry Niven, literary criticism, Narnia, narratology, On Stories, Ransom Trilogy, Ringworld, Science Fiction, Wood between the Worlds | 30 Comments

The Stereotype of the Hypocritical Clergyman: Chaucer and Modern Film

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Brenton Dickieson

“Of his appearance I have said enough”: so Chaucer concludes one of his pictorial caricatures of the pilgrims on the road in the Prologue of Canterbury Tales. These are playful, quick, and satirical descriptions of the “faithful” on the way. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Angel & Demons, Ben Stiller, Canterbury Tales, Chaucer, Dan Brown, Edward Norton, Ewan McGregor, film criticism, hypocrisy, literary criticism, Nevill Coghill, On Writing, St. Francis, stereotypes, tropes | 35 Comments

Pushing past the Coats and Back into the Wardrobe (Guest Blog)

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Brenton Dickieson

by Sarah Waters Narnia, or at least the idea of a wonderland which you can access with a couple of quick steps into your wardrobe, has become a well-known phenomenon since the publication of those Chronicles many years ago now. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogs, Reflections | Tagged C.S. Lewis, lion the witch and the wardrobe, literary criticism, Narnia, Reading, theology, wardrobe | 21 Comments

The Personal Heresy and the Growth of a Person

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

One of the books that cut C.S. Lewis’ critical teeth is The Personal Heresy: A Controversy. The book is a debate with Cambridge professor Dr. E.M.W. Tillyard over questions about the role of the poet in how the reader appreciates … Continue reading →

Posted in Lewis Biography, Reviews | Tagged academic, books, C.S. Lewis, controversy, debate, E.M.W. Tillyard, J.K. Rowling, Lemony Snicket, literary criticism, literature, Paulo Coelho, Poetry, The Personal Heresy | 36 Comments

Free Like Form: Thinking about Human Freedom and Poetic Form

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Brenton Dickieson

I have already admitted that I am not much of a poet, and I have even less right to be thinking about poetry criticism. But allow me to transgress my obvious limits for in a moment and attempt a thought … Continue reading →