C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce

I’ve been eager to share this for quite some time, so I’m thrilled to finally put pen to paper (I still prefer to scratch these things out on paper first). While I suspect it might not capture the full essence I intended – perhaps a polished rewrite will come when I’m feeling more refreshed – I hope you enjoy it for now.

C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce is a profound allegory that explores themes of Heaven, hell, and the human soul’s choices that determine its eternal fate. The novella, rich in symbolism and theological insights, provides a narrative journey that compels readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make. Let’s look at the key themes of the book and draw connections to relevant scripture.

The Great Divorce begins with the narrator boarding a bus in a dreary, grey town, symbolising hell or purgatory, and embarking on a journey to the outskirts of Heaven. The passengers, consisting of various lost souls, are given the opportunity to stay in Heaven if they can let go of the sins and obsessions that bind them. Through a series of encounters between the ghosts (the passengers) and the solid people (the heavenly residents), Lewis explores the nature of sin, repentance, and grace.

One of the most prominent themes in The Great Divorce is the nature of hell and Heaven. Lewis presents hell not as a place of physical torment but as a state of being where individuals are consumed by their own egos and desires. This depiction aligns with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25:46: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” The grey town’s inhabitants are trapped in a self-imposed isolation, symbolising the consequences of a life centered on self rather than on God. Heaven, on the other hand, is depicted as a place of overwhelming reality and joy, but only for those who can abandon their former selves and embrace divine love. This stark contrast underscores the maxim: “Heaven is real and solid, while hell is the ghost of a soul’s self-deception.”

A central theme in The Great Divorce is the idea that individuals have the power to choose their eternal destiny. The ghosts on the bus have the freedom to stay in Heaven, but many choose to return to the grey town, unable to let go of their earthly attachments. This echoes the biblical principle found in Deuteronomy 30:19: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Lewis emphasises that Heaven or hell begins with the choices we make in life. The maxim here is: “Every choice we make is a step toward Heaven or hell.”

The nature of sin and redemption is another key theme. Each ghost’s interaction with a solid person reveals a particular sin or obsession – whether it be pride, vanity, intellectual pride, or possessiveness – that prevents them from accepting Heaven. These sins are not merely wrong actions but states of being that distort reality and isolate the soul from God. Redemption, in Lewis’s vision, requires the complete surrender of these sinful states. One poignant example is the encounter between the ghost with the lizard (representing lust) and the angel who offers to kill the lizard. The painful process of letting go symbolises true repentance and the subsequent transformation into a redeemed being. This aligns with Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Lewis’s narrative is deeply rooted in Christian theology. The journey from the grey town to Heaven can be seen as a metaphor for the soul’s pilgrimage toward God, reminiscent of Psalm 84:5: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” The interactions between the ghosts and solid people reflect the truth of Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” The solid people, who have been redeemed, act as witnesses encouraging the ghosts to shed their sinful entanglements.

Several maxims encapsulate the moral lessons of The Great Divorce. “Pride goes before a fall,” resonates with the many ghosts who choose to cling to their pride rather than humble themselves and accept grace, echoing Proverbs 16:18. Another maxim, “Let go and let God,” reflects the notion that true redemption requires surrendering one’s ego and allowing God to transform the soul, as seen in the encounter with the ghost and the lizard. Finally, “The kingdom of God is within you,” as taught by Jesus in Luke 17:21, highlights the internal transformation Lewis describes, where the soul must align with divine love and truth.

The Great Divorce is a powerful allegory that challenges readers to examine their own lives and the choices they make. Through vivid storytelling and deep theological insights, Lewis illustrates the eternal consequences of our daily decisions and the transformative power of divine grace. The novella not only reflects scriptural truths but also offers timeless maxims that guide us toward a life oriented toward Heaven rather than self-imposed hell. In essence, Lewis invites us to recognise that the journey to Heaven begins with the choices we make here and now, urging us to choose life, love, and the reality of God’s presence.