Out of the Silent Planet Essay Example

guided by an Eldil, a spiritual being, is directed to take Ransom to their leader, Oyarsa, a prominent Eldil figure. This is intended to facilitate understanding between the aliens and the humans' purpose for being on the planet. On their way to meet Oyarsa, Ransom seeks the assistance of a Sorn, another one of the three species inhabiting Malacandra. Notably tall, Sorns possess the ability to traverse long distances in a short span of time.

Upon arriving at Meldilorn, the Great Spirit Oyarsa engages in a lengthy dialogue with Ransom and the other humans. He inquires about their presence on his planet and gains insight into humanity. The conversation highlights the peaceful intellect of the aliens and their unique connection to the same God. Eventually, Oyarsa strikes a deal with the humans, ensuring their safe return to their own planet but requesting that they never venture back to Malcandra due to the inherent wickedness of mankind. The book concludes with Ransom waking up on Earth, finding Devine and Weston no longer present on the spaceship. This open ending sets the stage for a potential sequel. Ransom's character is portrayed as a one-dimensional hero.

I believe the author's intention is for the reader to perceive this character as virtuous and honorable. Any alteration in Ransom's goodness would have negative consequences for the welfare of humanity. Ultimately, it was up to Oyarsa to determine the fate of the human characters. Devine and Weston assume the roles of villains in the narrative, seeking to exploit the innocence of an unsuspecting planet that does not place value on gold as earthlings do, due to its abundant availability. Weston's character remains one-dimensional

throughout the story.

He does not waver in his belief regarding the grandeur of a superior entity; his conviction lies in the notion that humans hold ultimate authority over the universe and should govern everything. In contrast, Devine, upon witnessing the immense intelligence and power possessed by Oyarsa, opts to switch allegiances, displaying his inclination to abandon a situation if a more appealing alternative arises. During his time on the planet, Ransom encounters intriguing individuals characterized by their hair-covered and slender appearance.

The Hross, with their slick and oily hair, move gracefully like otters in and out of the water. These creatures are known as Hross. Ransom is only able to communicate with them after they teach him their language. Ransom's curiosity is piqued by these new beings as they are the closest resemblance to humans he has encountered on this unfamiliar planet. He discovers that the Hross are skilled warriors and hunters, specifically targeting a unique creature called a Hnakra on Malcandra. If the Hross successfully kill a Hnakra, they are honored with the title of Hnakrapunti.

The Hross are skilled in both singing and songwriting, using their music to express the happiness in their hearts. Unlike humans, they embrace death instead of fearing it, truly savoring their lives. Hnohra, a Hross with a grey muzzle, enlightens Ransom about the various beings on the planet, including the Pfifltriggi. These toad-like creatures possess a unique feature of a nose resembling a flute. The Pfifltriggi's passion lies in construction, as they have contributed greatly to the creation of most structures on Malcandra.

The Sorns, Pfifltriggi, and Hross are different creatures living in different places and environments on the planet Malcandra.

However, they are all connected by Oyarsa, who resides at Medilorn and possesses omniscience and authority over all. While not one of the three creatures, Oyarsa is considered more of a spirit than a creature. Oyarsa recognizes a higher being than himself, referred to as GOD, similar to the GOD known to planet Earth. The creatures of Malcandra are not "bent," meaning they are obedient to GOD'S principles unlike certain disobedient beings on Earth.

The story emphasizes the importance of maintaining innocence for a good and peaceful life. Oyarsa, the protagonist, opposes allowing the villains to return to his planet as their destructive values would threaten the peace he upholds. After questioning the humans about their intentions, specifically focusing on what humankind desires, Oyarsa determines that Ransom is a good person and not corrupted like the others. Consequently, Oyarsa is unconcerned about Ransom. As an act of compassion, Oyarsa presents Ransom, Devine, and Weston with the choice to either remain on Malcandra or return home without ever returning.

He leaves them with the decision and enough air in their ship to return to Earth. The story also explores the theme of treating others as you would like to be treated, known as the Golden Rule. Ransom follows this rule and is well cared for by the aliens. In contrast, the villains attempting to take over the planet and steal all the suns-blood (gold) receive harsh treatment. At a certain point, Oyarsa instructs a group of Hross to repeatedly immerse Weston’s head in cold water in order to temper his hot-headedness.

The validity of the Karma theme is supported by the character of Weston - no matter where one

goes, they remain the same. This can be seen in the case of a mean and greedy person on Earth, who will continue to exhibit those traits in any other world, regardless of what it has to offer. The reality we experience is shaped by our desires. C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy, which includes Out of the Silent Planet as its first book, was written during the dark period before and during World War II. It is considered a timely parable that has withstood the test of time, similar to Albert Camus's The Plague and George Orwell's 1984.

Chu states that the story telling in this trilogy is adored by future generations, not just for its incredible amazement but also for the ethical dilemmas it tackles. C. S. Lewis crafted the character of Dr., who serves as the main protagonist and is portrayed as a brilliant, perceptive, and exceptionally courageous philologist. This portrayal makes Dr. an unforgettable figure in Lewis' body of work.

Elwin Ransom was modeled after J. R. R., Lewis' dear friend.

The Space Trilogy by Tolkien is only rivaled in the 20th century by his trilogy The Lord of the Rings in terms of its imaginative achievement and vision of two imaginary worlds. Readers who loved Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia as children also cherish his Space Trilogy as adults. It portrays strange and magical realms where epic battles between light and darkness occur. However, the Space Trilogy surpasses other works with its layers of allegory and sophisticated insights into the human condition. Despite this, literary works sometimes conform to traditional frameworks.

The formalist critic focuses on the specific literary elements of a genre, such as style, structure,

imagery, tone, and genre. This approach involves analyzing the text itself rather than considering information about the author or historical context.

(Goulet) C.S. Lewis's creation of a brand new language in this science fiction narrative led me to adopt a formalist approach in my interpretation. I was able to comprehend the alien language as the new words were translated into English. For instance, the narrator frequently compared foreign words like "Thulcandra" to "the Silent Planet," which is also a term for Earth, Ransom's place of origin. Another intriguing aspect with a humorous undertone was the style of language employed by Weston and Devine in their communication with Oyarsa using the Malcandrian language.

Comparatively, the way Cowboys conversed with Native Americans in old westerns is similar to the current situation. Weston then shifted his gaze towards the source of the voice. "I am aware that you intend to kill us," he uttered fearlessly. "I am not afraid. Others will come and reclaim our world—" However, before he could continue, Devine stood up abruptly and interjected, "No, no Oyarsa!" he exclaimed.

'You don't listen to him. He's a very foolish man. He has dreams. We, the little people, only want beautiful sun-bloods. If you give us plenty of sun-bloods, we'll go back into the sky and you'll never see us again. It's all done, understand?' (Lewis 133,134) Another critical approach to this story is Sociological Criticism.

The text below explores the relationship between the artist and society by examining literature in its cultural, economic, and political contexts. This approach is known as Marxist criticism, a branch of Sociological criticism that follows Karl Marx's ideology and emphasizes the economic and political elements

of art. Sociological criticism also considers the ideological content of literature, as proposed by George Lucas who argues that content dictates form, making all art inherently political. Even if a work does not directly address politics, it still conveys a political statement. However, it is important to acknowledge that this focus can oversimplify and unintentionally impose personal politics onto the analyzed work.

(Goulet) The Author portrayed the concept that a physicist, specifically, built a functional spacecraft to explore and retrieve valuable items from other planets. This physicist also symbolized humanity's desire to conquer a new world for their society's benefit. Similarly, the US government operates in a similar manner - it is run for the people but not by them. It is actually controlled by the government itself. Americans are somehow deceived into thinking that their best interests are being prioritized. Weston saw this as an act of selflessness. However, Ransom, who was composed, demonstrated true selflessness by not seeking to dominate the new world but rather striving for peace and understanding with its inhabitants. Ironically, Ransom's actions showcased a more generous display of humanity.

This narrative recounts the story of a man who, devoid of greed and possessing a peaceful disposition, decides to take a break from his hectic work life and enjoy a serene stroll in the countryside. Ultimately, this tale captivates me because it depicts a man embarking on a personal quest, seeking something new, and ultimately finding exactly what he was looking for. Ransom, despite not choosing the path he is forced to follow, has an epiphany regarding humanity's intentions towards themselves, others, and God in general.

Works Sited:

1. Lewis, Clive Staples. Out of the
   

Silent Planet; Scribner Press New York, NY 1996.

Goulet, Ron. A Summary of the Critical Approaches to Literature; Handout derived from the Tenth Edition Literature book by X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia; copyright 2007