Month: December 2022

That Hideous Strength: Useful Idiots

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Something often discussed, given our current political and cultural predicament, is whether our rulers are maleficent actors or moronic minions. The most charitable among us assume that the people destroying our culture and way of life are simply ignorant. The least charitable among us are quick to pronounce that there has always been a grand plan afoot; to subject us all to pods and bugs for our own good.

In chapter 2 of That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis offers a narrative which intimates that both of these factors are at play:

“It really is rather devastating,” said Feverstone when he had partially recovered, “that the people one has to use for getting things done should talk such drivel the moment you ask them about the things themselves.”

“And yet they are, in a sense, the brains of Bracton,” said Mark.

“Good Lord, no! Glossop and Bill the Blizzard and even old Jewel have ten times their intelligence.”

“I didn’t know you took that view.”

“I think Glossop etc. are quite mistaken. I think their idea of culture and knowledge and what not is unrealistic. I don’t think it fits the world we’re living in. It’s a mere fantasy. But it is quite a clear idea and they follow it out consistently. They know what they want. But our two poor friends, though they can be persuaded to take the right train, or even to drive it, haven’t a ghost of a notion where it’s going to, or why. They’ll sweat blood to bring the N.I.C.E. to Edgestow: that’s why they’re indispensable. But what the point of the N.I.C.E. is, what the point of anything is–ask them another. Pragmatometry! Fifteen sub-directors!”

“Well, perhaps I’m in the same boat myself.”

“Not at all. You saw the point at once. I knew you would. I’ve read everything you’ve written since you were in for your Fellowship. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Mark was silent. The giddy sensation of being suddenly whirled up from one plane of secrecy to another, coupled with the growing effect of Curry’s excellent port, prevented him from speaking. ~ pg 37-38

That Hideous Strength

It’s at this point that the reader begins to wonder if Mark Studdock can see that he is, all at once, a useful idiot and being induced to participate as a maleficent actor. The subtle slide from misguided idealism to rationalized pragmatism, to full-throated villainy is the thing Mark must look out for. He is, however, so convinced of his innate superiority relative to normal, uneducated people that there is little he is unwilling to entertain for the sake of ushering in a glorious, more enlightened future among the population of Britain. The Progressive Element is his ticket to making that happen.

That Hideous Strength: Introduction

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In recent months, I have heard several podcasters reference C.S. Lewis’ novel, That Hideous Strength. I have finally begun reading it. One of the practices I find infinitely useful when I read, is to take notes as I journey with the author through the thoughts, ideas and the development of the characters. I have blogged through several books in the past, but it has always been an exploration of the concepts offered in non-fiction books. This would be the first time I have ever shared my notes on a novel as I read. My goal with this is to share enough to pique your interest, but not so much that you don’t feel the book is worth reading. This, dear readers, is a book that is worth reading.

Lewis called this 1945 novel (the third of a trilogy but compelling read all on its own), “a modern fairy tale for grownups”. While I have certainly enjoyed the bits I’ve read of the book to date, the notion of a fairy tale feels a bit comical. No doubt, this is because I came of age as the Disney-fied versions of classic fairy tales grew into an entertainment behemoth. Nevertheless, I can’t help the inclination to categorize this novel as dystopian science fiction, with theological underpinnings for good measure.

Before delving into the major themes that I’ll discuss over the next four posts, an overview of the major players seems suitable.

Mark Studdock

Mark is a young academic and sociologist at Bracton College, nestled in England’s picturesque little town of Edgestow. Likely in his late 20s to very early 30s, Mark is eagerly angling for an entrance into the upper echelons of his college’s “Progressive Element”. Known as a sharp mind and an even sharper writer, Mark is thrilled to find that his potential has indeed been noted by the leaders of the movement he so desperately admires.

Jane Studdock

23-year-old Jane is Mark’s wife. When we meet her, she is in the throes of disillusionment with her life, marriage, and purpose. The loving, talkative man she married has turned into an absent workaholic. Her own studies and academic aspirations seemed to have died and been buried beneath her romantic notions of what married life was supposed to be. Despite her earnest attempts to resurrect them, she is continually distracted by the demands of daily household life. Worse than that, she finds herself turning into the very type of woman she detests; ladies who lunch and shop.

N.I.C.E.

The National Institute of Coordinated Experiments is the organization through which most of the villainy in this tale is executed. I’ll not say much more about the N.I.C.E. at this juncture, except to say that in the post modern era, the social engineers would be far more creative and careful when choosing a name for this kind of enterprise. They would choose the kinds of words that invoke feelings of trust and safety in the minds of the people. They would craft monikers such as the Centers for Disease Control, The National Institutes of Health, or the World Health Organization. They wouldn’t differ from the Lewis’ fictional N.I.C.E. with regard to coordinated experiments on the population under the guise of science and improving humanity, but they’d be a lot more cagey about it.

As the book gets underway, Mark is offered the potential for upward mobility beyond his imagination as a recruit into the rapidly expanding N.I.C.E. matrix. At the same time, Jane is realizing that she is in the middle of a very sinister situation that she would rather ignore, but that neutrality is not an option.

I don’t anticipate offering a lot of plot spoilers from this point onward. Rather, I hope to explore some of the themes that Lewis unveils that so closely align with the state of things in the post modern west. The similarities are eerie.

Looking forward to discussing the themes of That Hideous Strength with all of you!