Objective: Students will be able to understand the lives and works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and the impact they had on the world of literature and popular culture.
Materials:
- “Tolkien & Lewis” movie
- Biographical information about J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis
- Texts of some of their most famous works
Summary of the movie:
The movie “Tolkien & Lewis” explores the friendship between the two famous authors, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and how their shared love for literature and faith influenced each other’s work. The film shows the ups and downs of their friendship, including their experiences serving in World War I, and the creation of some of their most famous works, such as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
Activities:
- Before watching the movie, provide students with a brief overview of the lives and works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. See below.
- Watch the movie “Tolkien & Lewis” as a class and take notes on the main events and themes.
- After watching the movie, lead a discussion on the friendship between Tolkien and Lewis and how it influenced each other’s work.
- Look at the list of books written by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and see how many you have heard about. The short stories have links.
- J.R.R. Tolkien: “The Hobbit,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Silmarillion,” “Farmer Giles of Ham,” “Smith of Wooton Major“, “Leaf by Nigle“,”The Children of Hurin”
- C.S. Lewis: “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “The Screwtape Letters,” “Mere Christianity,” “The Problem of Pain,” “Out of the Silent Planet” “the great divorce” “The Screwtape Letters“.
- Have students choose one short story from each author to read and write a short essay comparing and contrasting the themes and styles of their chosen works.
- Conclude the lesson by discussing the impact that J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis have had on the world of literature and popular culture.
Assessment:
- Class discussion participation
- Written essays comparing and contrasting the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Read this book about their friendship. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship
Questions to discuss after watching the movie.
- Who were J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and what were their professions?
- How did the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis start?
- How did their shared experiences in World War I impact their writing?
- What was the Inklings group and what role did it play in the lives of Tolkien and Lewis?
- What was the main theme of Tolkien’s book “The Lord of the Rings”?
- What was the main theme of Lewis’s book “The Chronicles of Narnia”?
- How did their faith influence their writing and what role did it play in their friendship?
- What impact have J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis had on the world of literature and popular culture?
- How did the friendship between Tolkien and Lewis evolve over time?
- What was the significance of the final scene in the movie “Tolkien & Lewis”?
List of books written by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, :
J.R.R. Tolkien: “The Hobbit,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Silmarillion,” “Farmer Giles of Ham,” “The Children of Hurin”
C.S. Lewis: “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “The Screwtape Letters,” “Mere Christianity,” “The Problem of Pain,” “Out of the Silent Planet”
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was an English author, poet, and philologist who is best known for his fantasy works, including “The Hobbit” (1937) and “The Lord of the Rings” (1954-1955). He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University and a fellow of Pembroke College. Tolkien’s works are characterized by their rich imagination, intricate world-building, and themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil.
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) was an Irish author and academic who is best known for his series of seven children’s books, “The Chronicles of Narnia” (1950-1956). He was a professor of medieval and Renaissance literature at Oxford and later at Cambridge University. Lewis was also a Christian apologist and wrote several books on the subject, including “Mere Christianity” (1952). Lewis’s works are known for their imaginative storytelling, Christian themes, and their appeal to both children and adults.
Both Tolkien and Lewis were members of a literary group called the Inklings, which met regularly to read and critique each other’s works. The group also included other writers, such as Charles Williams and Owen Barfield, and played a significant role in the development of their literary careers. The friendship and intellectual exchange between Tolkien and Lewis had a profound influence on each other’s works and continues to be celebrated today by fans and scholars alike.