VIDA PERSONAL
When and where were you born?
He was born on November 29, 1898 and was born in Belfast in the United Kingdom
What was your greatest achievement or contribution to humanity?
C.S. Lewis's greatest achievement and contribution to humanity is undoubtedly his influence as a defender of Christianity and a narrator of spiritual truths through his literary works, the most exemplary of which is The Chronicles of Narnia series, which introduces Christian allegory to generations of readers in an accessible way.
What was your biggest professional obstacle?
C.S. Lewis's greatest professional obstacle was the repression and rejection of his Christian ideas, as well as the economic instability he faced early in his career.
Did you like any particular animal?
Instead of owning a dog or a cat, Lewis channeled his fascination with animals through literature. The way he presents them, especially in The Chronicles of Narnia, reveals a view of animals that goes beyond being mere creatures.
What is the relevance of Lewis's Christian apologetics, as presented in Mere Christianity, to the religious and cultural context of Mexico, a country with a strong Catholic tradition?
C.S. Lewis's apologetics, especially in Mere Christianity, is relevant to the strongly Catholic Mexican context due to its focus on the essentials of the Christian faith, its rational defense of universal moral principles, and its ability to engage with a secularized world. Although Lewis comes from a Protestant tradition, his work focuses on "mere Christianity," the truths shared by the main Christian denominations, which allows for common ground for discussion with the Catholic tradition.
What was your family like?
CS Lewis
Florence Augusta Hamilton: mother
Albert James Lewis: father
Warren Lewis: older brother
Was there any important event in your childhood that marked you?
What marked Lewis was that his mother died when he was 10 years old and he began to imagine imaginary worlds to overcome his loss.
how was his influence?
CS Lewis's influence was thanks to the complete saga of the Chronicles of NARNIA
Was Lewis Carroll a mathematician and a writer or was his real name something else?
Lewis Carroll Hitler was the pseudonym of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a mathematician who taught at Oxford University and was also a writer.
How has The Chronicles of Narnia influenced Mexican readers?
What impact has this fantasy series had on younger generations, and how has the Christian allegory it contains been interpreted?
What impact did his mother's death and his service in World War I have on C.S. Lewis's worldview?
Lewis lost his mother at the age of ten. This tragedy, coupled with his devastating experiences in the trenches of the Somme, France, as a soldier during World War I, led him to become an atheist.
What language(s) did he speak?
English, and he had a knowledge of French and German. He also studied Latin and Greek, which were fundamental to his classical education, and was interested in Italian and Irish.
Were you a good student? Yes, a very good and intelligent student.
Sí, C.S. Lewis fue un estudiante destacado y exitoso, destacando en sus estudios de literatura inglesa y obteniendo puestos académicos en las prestigiosas universidades de Oxford y Cambridge.
Why did Lewis Carroll decide to use a pseudonym?
He did this to protect his private identity, especially because some of his works and his passion for photography (which included many photos of young girls) could be misinterpreted.
What are the main channels for disseminating Lewis's work in Mexico?
Are your books primarily sold and read in specialty Christian bookstores, general bookstores, or through online platforms like Amazon and Mercado Libre?
How did J.R.R. Tolkien influence C.S. Tolkien's conversion?
His friendship with Tolkien was crucial to his spiritual journey. During a long night walk, Tolkien helped Lewis see myths as narratives with a "hidden truth." Unlike other myths, the story of Christ, Tolkien argued, was a "myth that became reality."
What was your greatest achievement or contribution to humanity?
C.S. Lewis's greatest achievement and contribution to humanity is undoubtedly his influence as a defender of Christianity and a narrator of spiritual truths through his literary works, the most exemplary of which is The Chronicles of Narnia series, which introduces Christian allegory to generations of readers in an accessible way.
What contributions did he make to teaching or learning in general?
C.S. Lewis brought to learning the importance of cultivating the imagination to understand truth and moral values, using fantasy literature as a way to awaken curiosity and reflection in readers.
Did Lewis Carroll have any connection with the name Cheshire?
Yes, the famous grinning cat from "Alice in Wonderland" was inspired by the popular phrase "grinning like a Cheshire cat," popular in the Cheshire region, where the writer was originally from.
Beyond Narnia, what other works by Lewis have had a notable reception in Mexico?
Are your works on theology (The Problem of Pain), fantasy for adults (The Cosmic Trilogy), or your literary essays known and studied in the country?
What was the nature of your marriage to Joy Davidman?
Lewis married American writer Joy Davidman so she and their children could remain in England. Although the union was initially a civil marriage, the two fell in love and remarried in a religious ceremony in 1957, after she was diagnosed with cancer. Their marriage, though short, was deeply happy. After her death in 1960, Lewis wrote one of his most personal works, A Grief Observed.
What did he invent, discover or create?
C. S. Lewis did not invent anything in the sense of a device or a machine, but was a prolific writer and scholar who created literary worlds such as the Chronicles of Narnia saga.
What impact did your actions have on your country?
C.S. Lewis's actions had a significant impact on his home country, the United Kingdom, by popularizing the Christian faith through his influential writings and radio broadcasts, and by establishing a charitable fund with the profits from his books to support families and students.
What was the main inspiration for the book "Alice in Wonderland"?
Carroll began telling the story to Alice Liddell and her sisters on a boat ride in 1862, and the story was based on little Alice Liddell.
What is the perception of C.S. Lewis in Mexico, considering his different roles as a professor, fantasy writer, apologist, and convert to Christianity?
He is known mainly for one or the other of these facets