Seeing The Monster

Yesterday evening I had the treat of attending the Ken & Jean Hanson Lectureship with Aubrey Buster, Ph.D. – “Here be Dragons”: C.S. Lewis and the Construction of the Monstrous. It was absolutely amazing and I jotted down several points for further pondering. One of the points Dr. Buster made was that monsters are that which is contrary to order. She was suggesting that monsters represent chaos, fear, or disruption in society and the natural world. They often symbolize things that challenge our understanding of normalcy, morality, or the established social order.

C.S. Lewis often used monsters and mythical creatures in his literary works to serve various narrative functions. These figures can represent internal struggles, moral dilemmas, and the battle between good and evil. In literature and mythology, monsters can embody societal fears or serve as a reflection of the human psyche, representing the unknown or repressed aspects of ourselves. Another point Dr. Buster made was that we must see the monster correctly to respond correctly.

As I reflected this morning I caught that I had even created a bit of a monster in Dr. Buster. I found myself feeling inferior to her vast knowledge. Then I needed to see the monster I had created correctly and realize that she should be talking way over my head when it comes to apocalyptic monsters. Not something I have ever studied in depth. That’s why I was attending the lecture – to learn! I was letting my envy create a monster. I’m sure I could begin to rattle off subjects of my studies that Dr. Buster might not be up to speed on. The real monster in this story was me terrorizing myself. To be clear, Dr. Buster is incredible and not a monster!

Essentially, these monsters are figures that disrupt the harmony of life, prompting us to confront our fears and question our assumptions about what is considered “normal.” I loved the discussion of C.S. Lewis’s monsters in Narnia that invite readers to reflect on their own fears and challenges, making the journey through Narnia a metaphor for personal and spiritual growth.

For instance, the White Witch embodies tyranny and oppression, serving as a formidable antagonist who challenges the protagonists’ courage and faith. Her presence forces characters like Aslan, Peter, and Lucy to confront their fears and make difficult choices, ultimately leading to personal growth and revelation. As Dr. Buster taught us, there are no new monsters, just those developed from envy, lust, greed and power.

Byron's Babbles