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C. S. LewisA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Ransom is initially terrified of all of Malacandrian creatures, consumed by visions of classical science fiction monsters and boogeymen. He instinctively avoids all unfamiliar creatures until he meets Hyoi, the hross who becomes his first friend on the planet. Ransom is initially empowered to approach Hyoi after hearing the hross speak what is unmistakably language (it is later revealed that Hyoi was communicating with an eldil). Hyoi is able to teach him a few words of the hrossian language within minutes of their meeting, and this moment represents the first crack in the barrier of understanding between Ransom and the hnau of Malacandra. As a linguist, language is fascinating and important to Ransom, and his appreciation of the hrossa’s rationality grows as he learns more of their language.
The hrossian vocabulary highlights the utopian qualities of Malacandra. Ransom often struggles to translate human concepts like war and poverty into hrossian because such words do not exist in the language due to the peaceful lifestyles of the hrossa and their fellow hnau. They do not even have a direct translation for the word evil—“bent” is the closest approximation. Unlike the concept of evil, bentness implies the existence of an essential good that has become distorted.
By C. S. Lewis
A Grief Observed
A Grief Observed
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Mere Christianity
Mere Christianity
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Perelandra
Perelandra
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Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian
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Surprised by Joy
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That Hideous Strength
That Hideous Strength
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The Abolition of Man
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The Discarded Image
The Discarded Image
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The Four Loves
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The Great Divorce
The Great Divorce
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The Horse And His Boy
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The Last Battle
The Last Battle
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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The Magician's Nephew
The Magician's Nephew
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The Pilgrim's Regress
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The Problem of Pain
The Problem of Pain
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The Screwtape Letters
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The Silver Chair
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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
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Till We Have Faces
Till We Have Faces
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