Evaluating artwork, I am discovering, is an art in itself. Properly applied appraisal includes objective as well as subjective criteria. Francis Schaeffer (1973) offers Four Standards of Judgement, “(1) technical excellence, (2) validity, (3) intellectual content, the world view which comes through and (4) the integration of content and vehicle” (p. 62). Additionally, great art may evoke intuitive and emotional responses. By all measures, the writings of C. S. Lewis are masterpieces of literature.
The first of Schaeffer’s criteria for evaluating art is technical excellence. Quality writing involves a basic criterion that includes spelling, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, avoiding trite or inappropriate words, phrases, and clichés, use of transitional phrases and so on. Other aspects of quality writing include content, or relevance to the reader; structure: it is organized logically and makes sense to the reader without
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Aslan, through a death reminiscent of Christs’, wins him back, to secure his, and Narnia’s freedom from the White Witch. Aslan, again reminiscent of Christ, is raised from the dead and Restores new life to the land of Narnia.
Final Restoration comes in the concluding book, “The Last Battle.” In the story, Narnia is destroyed and all those who choose Aslan are brought into Aslan’s country (heaven), of which Narnia was only a shadow or dim reflection. Everything that was lost finds restoration. This time, however, evil does not exist, nor do sickness, death, or weakness, and neither will it end. Lewis (1956) concludes this series with a beautiful description of the Restoration of all things,
All of you are—as you call it in the Shadowlands—dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the