Chapters 3-4: Till We Have Faces

Welcome back to the show! Today, Esther (age 14), Adalyn (age 15) and myself are diving into Chapters 3 and 4 of C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces, and honestly, this is where the story really starts to click for us. We are moving past the initial setup, and the characters are finally starting to show their true colors—or, in some cases, the masks they wear to hide them.

In this episode, we unpack why this "retelling" format is so powerful; it forces us to ask if we’ve only ever heard one side of the story, and what happens when we finally listen to the other side. We also tackle the looming mystery of the "accusation against the gods" and try to figure out who—or what—is actually responsible for the desolation in the land.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Sibling Dynamic: We break down the stark differences between the sisters. We discuss Redival’s immodesty and her tendency to stir up trouble , and explore why Orual’s position in the family feels so much more complex—especially when she starts to sound disturbingly like her father.
• The "Psyche" Problem: Is Psyche truly a healer, or is her naive attempt to heal the village actually a source of danger?. We debate whether she acts as a messianic figure or just a sheltered princess.
• Orual’s Inner Conflict: We talk about why we admire Orual’s sharpness and intelligence, even while acknowledging her struggle with anger and the fear that she might one day become the very thing she despises.
• The Mythic Shift: We explore why Lewis might have inverted the roles of the sisters compared to the original myth, and how that changes our emotional connection to the characters.

It’s been fascinating to see how these characters move from mythic archetypes to real, complicated people. Pull up a chair and join our conversation as we look at why these ancient choices feel so hauntingly relevant to our lives today.

Join us next time for chapters 5 & 6!

Welcome back to the show! If you have ever wanted to read the classics but felt intimidated by where to start, you are in the right place.

I’m your host, Angelica Cable, a homeschool mom of 3 with a deep passion for literature. Today, I’m sitting down with Adalyn (15) and my daughter Esther (14) to crack open the first two chapters of C.S. Lewis’s self-proclaimed masterpiece, Till We Have Faces.

In This Episode

I believe that talking about great books is the secret to truly falling in love with them. In this episode, we don't just summarize the plot; we start tracking the heavy themes in this psychological novel—from the tension of the divine to the complexities of the human ego.

Why Listen?

Till We Have Faces is a book that demands to be read deeply, and it’s much better to do it together. After this conversation, I couldn't wait to keep reading to see how C.S. Lewis addresses the issues he brings up right at the get-go.

Whether you are reading along with us or just looking for a bit of wisdom, this episode is your invitation to join the conversation. It only gets better from here!

Thanks for joining us! If you enjoyed this deep dive, make sure to subscribe and share this episode with a fellow book lover. Let’s keep reading, talking, and learning together. Also email me at redeemmyeducation@gmail.com

Join our latest homeschool Charlotte Mason high school English class as we continue our poetry reading series, finishing the "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." We explore how to read this classic through a Christian lens, finishing up a great series on a great work!

If you're looking to deepen your understanding of literature and how to read it meaningfully, this discussion is for you! ❤️

Email us your thoughts: redeemmyeducation@gmail.com