One "Inner Ring" to Rule Them All

I just read C.S. Lewis' lecture "The Inner Ring" this week, and I was very impressed at both the message and literary techniques Lewis made and utilized. It seems that the guy can do more than write fantasy books after all! But jokes notwithstanding, I respect the claim Lewis was trying to get across, "Be with others for the sake of enjoyment and fulfillment, not to be 'in'". It is a lesson I find applicable in all eras, from Lewis' to our own.

In terms of actual writing, what I found to be the most helpful was Lewis' frankness and bluntness. His lecture was very straightforward and to the point in terms of tone, and he clearly showed this in his interactions with the audience. Which leads me to my second point; Lewis was very involved with his audience. He constantly referenced them, discussed their possible fates, and spoke very casually to them. His first line was "May I read you a few lines from Tolstoy's War and Peace?" almost as if he actually needed their approval before proceeding. Such techniques, along with simple but clever diction choices and the usage of allusions contemporary to his time, helped to make the piece both intellectual and enjoyable to read.

As I have already mentioned, Lewis' main claim was this, "Be with others for the sake of enjoyment and fulfillment, not to be 'in'". Throughout the piece, Lewis uses his essay's title, "The Inner Ring", as a metaphor for inclusion and belonging. And while he makes the point that the rings are necessary, and sometimes actually good, he also makes the distinction that "the desire which draws us into Inner Rings is another matter. A thing may be morally neutral and yet the desire for that thing may be dangerous." Near the end of the piece, Lewis reemphasizes this when he describes a fictional scenario about joining a musical quartet. While he argues that there's nothing wrong for participating if it's for the sake of "some wholesome reason", he does claim that "if all you want is to be in the know, your pleasure will be short lived...By the very act of admitting you it has lost its magic."

I found "The Inner Ring" to be both quite enlightening and fun. I can only wonder if his audience at King's College in 1944 felt the same. Regardless, I believe that Lewis' message is one for all ages, all societies, and all times. "The quest of the Inner Ring will break your hearts unless you break it. But if you break it, a surprising result will follow." Well said Mr. Lewis.