Perelandra

Obsession with appearance is the doorway to self-worship, which if entered, will giveway to sexual immorality and the destruction of eternal assurance. Perelandra written by C. S. Lewis, is a fictional depiction of another world which faces a looming danger of disobedience. Those familiar with Scripture will see parallels with the story of creation, yet with one distinct difference – evil is resisted! As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that how the human body is displayed and viewed is central to the temptation that both man (Ransom) and woman (Queen) face. Lewis subtly reminds readers that the internal, not the external of an individual is where an imperishable beauty exists (1 Peter 3:4).

Human Perfection

Ransom, an Englishman with previous galactic travel experience, finds himself sent to Perelandra by Maleldil for an unknown reason. Upon arrival, Ransom meets the Queen who is in search of the missing King. As Ransom dialogues with the Queen, it becomes apparent that she and the King represent the Adam and Eve of Perelandra. The Queen is seemingly the first of her species, having no children or knowledge of how to expand the species. In his initial conversation with the Queen, Ransom is overwhelmed by the knowledge that both he and the Queen are completely naked. He was neither embarrassed nor ashamed, but he was conscious of being ugly in comparison.

Ransom’s experience over his and the Queen’s nakedness was also experienced in creation. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and felt no shame over their nakedness (Genesis 2:25). In creating Adam and Eve, God created man and woman to perfectly complement one another. There was no barometer by which to feel shame for no imperfections existed. Adam and Eve could stand before one another and be completely satisfied in their nakedness for they knew no different; in perfection, there is innocence and freedom from the need to cover up. Lewis is not only hinting that Perelandra is the Garden of Eden, but he is also beginning from a place of perfect sinlessness, of an innocence that has not been corrupted by sexual immorality.

Subtle Distortion

The peace felt on Perelandra is abruptly interrupted by the introduction of Weston, a scientist with a checkered past. Ransom is concerned about his arrival, giving mention to his murderous tendency from a previous encounter on Malacandra. Weston’s arrival brings distortion to the perfect innocence of both male and female nakedness. He accuses Ransom of seduction, and mockingly suggests if he is meant to view it as sexless innocence. In Lewis using the word “seduction” he enters the first sinful connotation in relation to nakedness. Seduction is the act of tempting someone to take part in an activity (often a sexual activity). The mocking tone of the phrase “sexless innocence” suggests a silliness in believing that two naked people are not aiming to seduce one another. The beauty of naked innocence is now under question.

Scripture reminds us that there are two ways in which a man can look at a woman, one is pure in nature, the other is adulterous. Jesus taught that looking at a woman with lustful intent is adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28). Desire fuels lust and ignites the motive for seduction. Lust and seduction are sins committed in the heart even without any outward action occurring. Sin will lead to shame, which is why Adam and Eve found themselves ashamed of their nakedness after disobeying God (Genesis 3:7). Nacked innocence has now become shameful and sordid situation.

A Looming Darkness

Weston is possessed by an evil force called the un-man. It is not entirely clear how this occurs, or even if Weston knows what is happening at the time of possession. The un-man wishes to destroy the innocence of Perelandra and will do so through the corruption of the Queen. Ransom watches on helplessly as the un-man spends hours even days trying to convince the Queen to question Maleldil’s commands. Interestingly, throughout these conversations the un-man consistently uses beauty and sexuality to tease out a different way of thinking for the Queen. His desire is for the Queen to become “like the women of his world,” even promising her that she will be “more beautiful than these women.” There is a self-deprecating doubt being inserted into the mind of the Queen – I am not the most beautiful. Going further, the un-man clothed the Queen in flamboyant feathers, leading to the self-absorbed question – “do you think we are more beautiful?” With the addition of a mirror, the Queen becomes completely obsessed by how she looks. Ransom is grateful that the Queen is only being taught vanity, for if the un-man led her to understand modesty, then he may also lead her to understand what is immodest. The innocent nakedness of the Queen is now the center of vanity with the potential to give way to uncontrolled sexual desire. A real danger is on the horizon!

Throughout Scripture, man is consistently warned about sexual immorality. We are to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), for the sexually immoral person will not inherit an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 5:5). We are to abstain from sexually immoral practices (1 Thessalonians 4:3) by controlling our passions (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). Young women are encouraged to be modest (1 Timothy 2:9), remembering that beauty is a vain pursuit (Proverbs 31:30). With such serious warnings, why is sexual immorality so prevalent? The looming darkness of sexual sin is usually not first seen in an action, but in the heart of an individual. To desire and lust will often lead to the beautification of oneself. We seek to be more attractive so that others will notice us. We like to be seen. We crave the attention from the one we desire. Like the Queen in Perelandra, we become obsessed by what we see in the mirror. We ask what will make us look more beautiful. Soon, we are consumed by how good we look, and how we want others to see ourselves. Our heart propels us into action, and we walk through the door of self-worship into a room where sexual desire is uncontrolled. The darkness experienced through sexual immorality begins in the light of day, through the subtle self-worship of what we see in the mirror.

Conclusion

The story of Perelandra cleverly shows the reader how self-obsession and vanity destroy any assurance of an eternal inheritance. When the Queen has eyes on herself, she ponders her beauty and her greatness. Yet when the Queen was looking for the King, she walked in peace knowing that the plan of Maleldil would come to pass. The Christian is to take their eyes of themselves and seek after the King. It is only the seeking of King Jesus that truly frees us from the looming darkness of sexual immorality. Through Jesus, our innocence is restored, and we can live in harmony without experiencing shame. We are to worship the creator not the created. The story of Perelandra gives us hope that sexual sin can be defeated through reliance on the creator God.