Alone with Myself

"[. . .] the Queen of Glome had more and more part in me
and Orual had less and less" (257).
C. S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces (1956)

Points for Reflection

Lucius Apuleius's The Golden Ass, Book V (late 2nd century AD)

Students each bring two copies of three questions, printed out, that they have generated themselves (no A.I.)--along with answers. Create questions that put Lewis's re-interpretation into conversation with Apuleius's telling.

Who understands the concept of Agape love best, Orual or the Fox?
Why does Orual wear a veil, and what impact does this have on others’ perception of her?
What various ways does Orual interpret, over the years, the words “‘You also shall be Psyche’” (174 / 197)?
Can you identify any echoes of Biblical themes or events in today’s reading?
How does the House of Ungit change under Arnom’s leadership?
Which does the Fox gravitate towards more as he ages, philosophy or poetry?
Does Orual’s posture towards death change in today’s reading?
Having concluded her tale, Orual calls on the reader to judge between her and the gods (248-49 / 283-84). At this point in the novel, which side is the reader encouraged to take?