Introduction to "Till We Have Faces"
C.S. Lewis’s novel Till We Have Faces stands as a profound exploration of love, faith, human perception, and the nature of the divine. Published posthumously in 1956, this work is often regarded as one of Lewis’s most mature and complex novels. Unlike his more well-known works such as The Chronicles of Narnia or The Screwtape Letters, Till We Have Faces is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, viewed through the lens of a fictional narrator, Orual, who grapples with her own understanding of love and God. The novel challenges readers to examine the illusions of perception and the true face of love and divinity beyond superficial appearances.
Background and Inspiration
C.S. Lewis was a Christian apologist, novelist, and scholar whose works often blend allegory with theological insight. Till We Have Faces was inspired by Lewis’s interest in classical mythology and his desire to explore the inner life of Psyche, the mortal woman who becomes divine through love. The novel is written in the form of a first-person confession by Orual, a princess of Glome, who recounts her life story, her love for her sister Psyche, and her eventual spiritual awakening. Lewis’s approach is to use mythology as a vehicle for philosophical and theological reflection, emphasizing the difference between appearances and reality.
Plot Summary
Till We Have Faces is structured as a confessional narrative, with Orual recounting her story to a listener, possibly herself, as she seeks understanding and forgiveness. The narrative unfolds in several key phases:
Orual’s Childhood and Love for Psyche
Orual is the eldest daughter of the king of Glome. She has a deep, possessive love for her beautiful sister Psyche, whom she regards as a gift from the gods. Orual’s childhood is marked by jealousy and insecurity, but also a longing to protect Psyche from the world's cruelties.
The Sacred Mountain and the Worship of the Fox
The people of Glome worship a mysterious god, the Unseen One, primarily through a sacred temple and a mysterious, silent priestly order. The story introduces the ritual of the sacred mountain, which is central to their faith, and the sacrifices made to the gods.
Psyche’s Marriage and the Prophecy
Psyche is betrothed to the god of the mountain, whose true identity remains hidden. Orual is tormented by her fears that Psyche’s marriage will bring tragedy, especially as Psyche is sent away to live with the gods. Orual’s jealousy deepens, and she struggles with feelings of betrayal.
The Tragedy and Orual’s Obsession
Psyche’s absence and subsequent tragedies—her presumed death and the loss of her happiness—lead Orual into a period of despair and obsession. She blames the gods for her suffering, feeling betrayed by the divine.
Orual’s Spiritual Revelation
In her later years, Orual confronts her own misperceptions and recognizes her own blindness—her inability to see the true face of love and the divine. Her journey culminates in her understanding that the gods are not subject to human interpretation and that true love often entails suffering.
The Themes of "Till We Have Faces"
The novel weaves several themes that resonate deeply with readers and scholars alike:
Love and Obsession
Orual’s love for Psyche begins as possessive and selfish. Her inability to distinguish love from obsession illustrates how distorted perceptions can hinder genuine understanding. The novel suggests that true love involves sacrifice and humility, not possession.
Perception versus Reality
A recurring motif is the idea that appearances deceive. Orual’s initial perception of the gods, Psyche, and herself is flawed. The novel emphasizes that true understanding requires seeing beyond superficial appearances to discern the divine face.
Faith and Doubt
The tension between faith and doubt is central to the novel. Orual’s journey mirrors a spiritual pilgrimage, where she must confront her doubts about the gods and her faith in love and truth.
The Divine and the Human
Lewis explores the paradox of the divine’s inscrutability and the human longing for tangible proof. The gods in the novel are mysterious and often silent, challenging characters and readers alike to accept mystery as part of faith.
Characters and Their Symbolism
The novel’s characters are rich with symbolic meaning, representing universal aspects of the human experience.
Orual
Orual embodies human blindness—her inability to see the true face of love and the divine. Her journey from bitterness and jealousy to understanding and acceptance symbolizes spiritual growth.
Psyche
Psyche represents the soul’s capacity for love and the pursuit of beauty beyond superficial appearances. Her story is a metaphor for the soul's journey toward divine union.
The Unseen One
The divine figure in the story symbolizes the mysterious, often silent, presence of God. The novel suggests that divine love is often veiled but ultimately revealed to those who seek sincerely.
Redival
Orual’s less sympathetic sister, Redival, symbolizes superficiality and the temptation of worldly pursuits. Her character contrasts with Psyche’s deeper spiritual qualities.
Literary Style and Literary Devices
Lewis’s writing in Till We Have Faces is characterized by lyrical prose, allegorical richness, and philosophical depth. The novel employs various literary devices:
Allegory
The entire story is an allegory for spiritual truths, with characters embodying abstract qualities like love, faith, and blindness.
Mythological Retelling
Lewis reimagines the myth of Cupid and Psyche, adding a new psychological and theological dimension that invites reflection on human nature and divine mystery.
First-Person Confession
The narrative is presented as Orual’s confession, creating intimacy and allowing deep exploration of her inner conflicts.
Symbolism
Symbols such as the face of the gods, Psyche’s beauty, and the sacred mountain serve to deepen the thematic layers of the novel.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Till We Have Faces has been widely praised for its literary craftsmanship and philosophical insight. Critics have lauded Lewis for his nuanced portrayal of spiritual struggle and his ability to weave mythological narrative with theological reflection. The novel is often regarded as Lewis’s most mature work, offering a profound meditation on the nature of love and the divine.
Its legacy endures as a compelling exploration of how humans perceive and misunderstand the divine and themselves. The novel encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and to seek the true face of love and faith—an enduring message in Lewis’s spiritual and literary landscape.
Conclusion
C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces remains a compelling and thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of love, faith, and divinity. Through the tragic yet redemptive journey of Orual, Lewis explores the profound truth that the divine often remains veiled behind appearances, urging us to look beyond superficial images to encounter the true face of love and God. Its allegorical richness, philosophical depth, and poetic language continue to resonate, making it a timeless work that invites repeated reflection and interpretation. Whether approached as a mythological retelling, a spiritual allegory, or a psychological portrait, Till We Have Faces endures as a testament to the transformative power of understanding and the pursuit of divine truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of C.S. Lewis's 'Till We Have Faces'?
The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, perception versus reality, and the nature of divine love, emphasizing that true understanding often requires inner transformation and faith.
How does 'Till We Have Faces' reinterpret the myth of Cupid and Psyche?
Lewis reimagines the myth from the perspective of Psyche's sister, portraying her as a complex character who struggles with faith, pride, and love, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of divine love beyond superficial appearances.
What is the significance of the protagonist, Orual, in the novel?
Orual serves as the narrator and protagonist whose journey from jealousy and misunderstanding to acceptance and spiritual insight reflects the novel’s exploration of inner growth and the true nature of love and divine justice.
How does 'Till We Have Faces' challenge traditional biblical or religious narratives?
While rooted in Christian themes, the novel questions conventional interpretations of divine justice and love, emphasizing that God's ways are often mysterious and that human understanding is limited in comprehending divine motives.
What role does the concept of 'faces' play in the story?
Faces symbolize perception, identity, and the truth behind appearances. The novel suggests that seeing 'face' or true face involves understanding beyond superficial appearances, often requiring spiritual insight.
Why is 'Till We Have Faces' considered one of C.S. Lewis's most mature works?
It delves deeply into complex themes of love, faith, and perception, blending myth with philosophical and theological reflections, showcasing Lewis’s growth as a writer willing to explore nuanced human and spiritual struggles.
How has 'Till We Have Faces' been received by modern readers and critics?
The novel is highly regarded for its rich mythic symbolism and psychological depth, often praised as one of Lewis's best works for its mature exploration of faith and human nature, though some find its allegorical complexity challenging.
