Book Information
Title: Till We Have Faces: A Myth RetoldAuthor: C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 978-0062565419
Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Historical Fiction
Published: 1956
Introduction
C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces is a powerful and nuanced retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, originally from ancient Greek mythology. Rather than focusing on the myth's traditional elements of romance and divine intervention, Lewis reframes the story from the perspective of Orual, Psyche's older sister, and brings it to life as a tale of jealousy, love, self-deception, and spiritual awakening. Orual’s journey of self-discovery and reckoning with the gods challenges readers to consider the nature of love, beauty, and faith, making this one of Lewis’s most profound and personal works.
Detailed Summary
1. Setting and Characters in the Kingdom of Glome
The story unfolds in the fictional ancient kingdom of Glome, a land influenced by Greek culture but with its own distinctive customs and beliefs. At the center of the story are three sisters with complex relationships and differing perspectives on life.
- Orual: The story’s protagonist and narrator, Orual is the eldest daughter of the King of Glome. Scarred and considered unattractive, she feels unloved and undervalued by her father. Her intelligence and strength are hidden under a shroud of jealousy, self-doubt, and bitterness, which she directs mainly toward Psyche.
- Psyche (Istra): Orual’s beautiful younger half-sister, Psyche is known for her kindness and purity. Her beauty and goodness earn her the adoration of the people of Glome, but they also draw the ire of the goddess Ungit, leading to her exile and sacrifice.
- The Fox: A Greek slave and tutor to Orual and Psyche, he serves as a father figure and imparts wisdom rooted in rational philosophy and Greek skepticism of the divine. He tries to guide Orual with reason but fails to see the depth of her emotional turmoil.
- The King of Glome: Orual’s cruel, callous father, who treats his daughters harshly, especially Orual. His disregard and abuse shape much of Orual’s early understanding of her worth and fuel her sense of inadequacy.
"I was my father’s secret shame. He would speak of his 'ugly daughter' as though I were a kind of curse upon him."
2. The Sacrifice of Psyche
The first part of the novel builds up to the tragic climax: the sacrifice of Psyche, who is believed to be chosen by the goddess Ungit to appease the god of the mountain and save Glome from famine and plague.
- Psyche’s Divinity and Beauty: The people of Glome begin worshipping Psyche as a goddess due to her beauty and grace, sparking rumors that she is a divine figure sent to appease the gods.
- Ungit’s Wrath: When calamities strike Glome, the temple priests insist that Psyche must be sacrificed to the god of the mountain as Ungit’s demand for retribution.
- Orual’s Desperation: Orual is devastated and begs her father and the gods to spare Psyche, but she is helpless to prevent the sacrifice. Her grief and guilt deepen as she watches her beloved sister led away.
"She was to be sacrificed to the god, to be left on the mountain in bridal robes, yet only I could see the barbarity in it. My heart broke as I saw her, adorned like some feast for a monster."
3. Orual’s Quest and the Secret of Psyche’s Survival
Unable to accept Psyche’s fate, Orual embarks on a dangerous journey to the mountain to find Psyche’s remains, but instead, she finds something entirely unexpected.
- The Reunion with Psyche: Orual is astonished to find Psyche alive and well, living in a mysterious palace that only Psyche can see. Psyche claims she is married to a god who visits her at night, but she is forbidden to look upon his face.
- The Dilemma of Faith: Orual’s inability to see the palace or believe in Psyche’s account drives her to despair. She convinces Psyche to betray the god’s command and look upon his face, a decision that ultimately shatters Psyche’s happiness.
- The Exile: Psyche is banished by the god for her disobedience, and Orual’s selfishness and jealousy begin to haunt her. She returns to Glome, consumed by guilt and bitterness, blaming the gods for her suffering and accusing them of injustice.
"I did not love her enough to let her be. I loved her only to make her mine, to keep her close, and in that I destroyed her."
4. Orual’s Transformation and Reign as Queen
Following Psyche’s exile, Orual immerses herself in her duties as the Queen of Glome, masking her pain and guilt with a hard exterior.
- A Hardened Queen: Orual dons a veil and becomes known as a strict and fair ruler, respected but feared by her people. The veil becomes a symbol of her self-imposed isolation and her efforts to bury her insecurities and emotions.
- Repressed Guilt and Resentment: Although she successfully rules Glome, Orual’s internal struggle with guilt and resentment toward the gods grows. She continues to blame them for taking Psyche away, nurturing her bitterness.
- Writing Her Complaint: Believing herself to be a victim of divine injustice, Orual writes a “complaint” against the gods, documenting her suffering and accusing them of cruelty and indifference.
"The gods will answer for what they have done. They have taken everything from me, and I shall hold them accountable."
5. Revelation and Spiritual Transformation
In the novel’s second part, Orual undergoes a journey of self-discovery that ultimately changes her perception of herself, her actions, and the gods.
- A Vision of Truth: Orual experiences a series of visions and encounters that reveal the depths of her own jealousy, possessiveness, and self-deception. She realizes that her love for Psyche was tainted by selfishness, and that she was blind to her sister’s happiness.
- Encounter with the Divine: Orual confronts the gods in a mystical courtroom, where her complaint is read back to her. She is forced to confront the truth that her bitterness was born of her own pride and self-centered love.
- Realization and Redemption: Through this revelation, Orual understands that true love requires selflessness, and that she was the architect of her own suffering. This humbling insight leads to her spiritual transformation, where she finally embraces vulnerability and repentance.
"Till we have faces, the gods cannot meet us face to face. How can they see what we cannot show?"
6. Orual’s Final Acceptance and Peace
In the closing moments of her life, Orual finds peace as she reconciles with herself, the gods, and her love for Psyche.
- A New Understanding of the Divine: Orual sees that the gods’ ways are beyond human understanding, and that her suffering was a result of her own inability to love selflessly.
- Acceptance of Her Humanity: Orual’s journey is one of self-acceptance, where she recognizes her flaws, repents for her mistakes, and ultimately makes peace with the gods. Her final act is one of surrender, freeing herself from resentment and embracing a love that transcends jealousy.
- A Vision of Reunion: In a final vision, Orual sees Psyche in a place of divine beauty, symbolizing the ultimate union between human and divine love, and fulfilling the myth's promise of transcendence and redemption.
Key Themes and Ideas
- Love and Self-Sacrifice: Orual’s transformation from possessive love to selfless love is a central theme. The novel portrays how true love requires one to let go of pride and self-interest.
- The Nature of the Divine: Lewis examines the relationship between human understanding and the divine, suggesting that spiritual insight comes not from seeing the gods as they are but from being willing to “have faces,” or to show our true selves without pretense.
- Identity and Self-Deception: Orual’s journey reflects the struggle to see oneself clearly. Her veil symbolizes the masks people wear, both to hide from others and from themselves.
"We long to be seen, yet we fear what will be seen."
Conclusion
C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces is a profound and thought-provoking novel that transforms a classic myth into a timeless exploration of love, faith, and human frailty. Through Orual’s journey, Lewis delves into complex psychological and spiritual questions, challenging readers to consider the ways in which pride, jealousy, and self-deception can obscure one’s capacity for true love. Orual’s eventual acceptance of herself and her humanity offers a poignant message about vulnerability, forgiveness, and the redemptive power of love. This rich, introspective novel remains one of Lewis’s most celebrated works, admired for its emotional depth and philosophical