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Discussion/Essay Questions with Vocabulary

We are unable to supply an answer key to these study questions. Original thought is looked for in answering many of these questions for which there is no "one right answer". We hope these questions will assist parents in discussing the book with their children. Those who haven't read the book themselves could still discuss these questions and ideas in a general way with their children, have their children discuss it with others who have read the book, or seek summaries of the book online to better understand it.

Chapter 1

malaise
siege
inanimate

1. Why is Lewis afraid to go to Ransom's house? In what sense is he afraid of "the good"? What is Lewis' problem with meeting eldila?

Chapter 2

interminable
inimitable
summons

1. How does Ransom assure Lewis that he is on the right side?
2. What is the history of the Malacandrian language? Why was it lost on our planet?
3. Why don't eldila experience the passage of time in the same way that men do?

Chapter 3

extravagant
vulgarity
profusion

1. What is Ransom's new experience of sensual (of the senses) pleasure on Venus? What does he feel he must do to appreciate it?
    

Chapter 4

air (in opera)
encore
despair

1. What is Ransom's observation about the human desire to repeat pleasures at will?
2. Describe Ransom's first meeting with the lady.

Chapter 5

unnerved
disengaged
precariousness

1. What does Ransom perceive about the peace and purity of the Lady?
2. What was Ransom's little lie, and how did it affect him?

Chapter 6

medium
inhabitable
spherical

1. What is the law the Lady must obey? Why does confusion arise about this law?
2. What is Weston's interplanetary plan? What fear does it reveal? What kinds of evil things will his plan justify, if necessary?

Chapter 7

egoism
magnanimity
monomaniac

1. Weston thinks that Ransom's theological views and his own are very similar. Ransom obviously doesn't agree. Why not?
2. What happens to morality in Ransom's plan?

Chapter 8

imperialism
aphrodisiac
pompous

1. In this chapter, what does Ransom see as his main duty?
2. What arguments and strategy does Weston use to tempt the Lady?
    

Chapter 9

spasm
obscenity
calamity

1. What happens to the Perelandrian frogs at the hands of Weston? What is Ransom's reaction? What does this tell you about what is happening on Perelandra?
2. What does "Weston" tell the lady about death?
3. What does he try to tell her about obedience to the command? What is Ransom's answer?

Note: On page 121 (depending on the edition) there is a Latin phrase Felix peccatum Adae. It is from one of the ancient hymns of the Church and it means, "O happy sin of Adam." After the redemption, the Church dares to even rejoice in Adam's sin because God was able to make something even better come out of the first disobedience. This theme will be seen throughout this book.

Chapter 10

imbecile
abyss
rebuke

1. In this chapter the "Un-man" begins to tell the Lady stories. What are the points of the stories? How does he think this will help his cause in making her fall?
2. What are some of the effects of the Un-man's persistence is having on the Lady in the eyes of Ransom? What are some of the signs that she is wearing down?

Chapter 11

1. Ransom comes to realize that but for a miracle, the Lady's resistance will wear down. He realizes that it will take more than argument to combat the temptor. What does he come to understand that Maleldil is asking of him? What does he perceive his chances of surviving are? Does it matter and why or why not? What is at stake?
2. Go back and read one of the gospel accounts of the agony in the garden. Compare this with Ransom's agony.

Chapter 12

desolation
delirium
congruity

1. What happens to the creatures of Perelandra during the fight with the Un-man?
2. What does Ransom now realize about his chances to win the battle?
3. What is Ransom's experience of hatred?

Chapter 13

parallelism
awe
articulate

1. Ransom apparently meets the soul of Weston again, or perhaps another manifestation of the devil. What is the temptation he is offering to Ransom? What is Ransom's answer, and why does he finally just tell him to shut up?
2. Ransom experiences a feeling of the horror of death, which "Weston" has been feeding. How does Ransom attempt to comfort Weston, as he believes they are dying?

Chapter 14

caution
presumably
delusion

1. Ransom experiences doubt again on page 180. What does he realize is the source of these doubts? What is his reaction?
2. How did Ransom finally "kill" the Un-man?

Chapter 15

subterranean
prudent
convalescence

1. Describe Ransom's period of convalescence.
2. What is his mental state during this time?

Chapter 16

mingled
impregnated
destined

1. What is the role of the eldila in this new planet?

Ransom describes the look of charity on the angels' faces. How is it different from the human manifestation of charity?

Chapter 17

involuntarily
corruption
superfluous

1. The King has to explain to Ransom about justice. What is different about God's justice and merely human justice?
2. Describe what the Great Dance will be.

Questions courtesy of Sharon Mollerus