Come and learn how the friendship of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis impacted their literary works as well as their faith. In exploring the relationship of these two men, you will come to a deeper appreciation of their works and also for literary analysis - and a deeper appreciation of the role of friendship in the Church.
How to get the most out of I Call You Friends with Kevin O'Brien:
- First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.
- Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.
- Read assignments before class meetings
- Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.
- Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
- Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.
Total Classes: 8
Prerequisite: None
Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested High School Credit: ½ semester Literature
Instructor: Kevin O’Brien
Instructor Email: kevin@classeswithkevin.
Course Description:
Two of the greatest Christian writers of the 20th century were also close friends - C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien - a friendship that awakened Lewis to the Faith. We examine the relationship of these two men, the ups and downs of their friendship, and how they influenced one another’s writings. How did Lewis help Tolkien write The Lord of the Rings? How did Lewis come to love Christ through his friendship with Tolkien? Why did they grow further apart as friends?
Course Outline:
A reading of Mr. O’Brien’s play about Tolkien and Lewis.
Selections from Surprised by Joy, the life of C.S. Lewis
Highlights of the life and writings of J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" and the Night Talk that influenced Lewis’ conversion.
“Mythopoeia” - Tolkien’s response to the Night Talk.
Lewis as apologist for the Christian Faith.
Protestant vs. Catholic: the Faith of Lewis vs. the Faith of Tolkien.
Challenges to Friendship - The Inklings and Lewis’ marriage.
Course materials: Surprised by Joy, ISBN-10: 0062565435, ISBN-13: 978-0062565433
(https://amzn.to/3mvhohA). Other documents, which will be provided free by the Instructor.
Homework: Completing the assigned reading for each class; taking a few quizzes; completing one or two short writing assignments. Homework should be no more than about an hour per day outside of the live class.
- Teacher: Kevin OBrien