Jerry Root, 2018-2019 Hansen Lectures

November 8, 2018 – “C.S. Lewis’s Dymer: ‘A splendour in the dark, a tale, a song’"

Respondent: Dr. Jeffry C. Davis, Chair and Professor of English; Director of Interdisciplinary Studies

Given what Lewis called “the narrative sop” or telling the story, before one can analyze a work one must be familiar with the story itself. However, this lecture begins by looking at the literary form and narrative structure of Lewis’s Dymer, because Lewis believed firmly in the significance of literary form. This is followed by an exposition of the poem itself along with a consideration of the poem’s grand themes and ideas.

February 7, 2019 – “C.S. Lewis’s Dymer: ‘Brooding alone beneath the strength of things’"

Respondent: Mark Lewis, Associate Professor of Communication

This lecture traces the influences on Lewis’s work and their effects on his life and his writing of Dymer; and, in many ways beyond Dymer as well. It suggests that Lewis drew heavily from the literature of Myth, both Nordic Myth as well as classical Myths. Furthermore, it examines at the concept of joy, longing, and the importance of the literature of pilgrimage.

March 21, 2019 – “C.S. Lewis’s Dymer: ‘The flowers of unborn springs’"

Respondent: Dr. Miho Nonaka, Associate Professor of English

This lecture looked at the seeds in Dymer that spring up into full flower in the corpus of Lewis’s work. What unborn springs and seasons will emerge from this early narrative poem? If we observe carefully, what can the reader of Dymer expect to see reflected and developed in the works Lewis would eventually come to write? This lecture explored the bountiful harvest that came from Lewis’s early creative work in Dymer.