St. Augustine Till We Have Faces By C. S. Lewis

The Odyssey by Homer The Confessions by St. Augustine Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

All these literary works consist of a journey that the main character embarks on that depicts the theme and narrative. Whether the journey is one of self-discovery, heroism, spirituality, or has characteristics of multiple of these themes. Odysseus embarked on a 20-year-long journey back to his hometown, Ithaca. He faced many trials and tribulations along his journey that hindered him, at the time, but made him stronger in the end. His encounter with the Cyclops- facing wrath from Poseidon, being held captive on Calypso’s island as her lover for seven years, and many other obstacles along the way gave Odysseus strength, intelligence, and bravery. The role

Orual’s journey was one of self-discovery. Her immense love for her sister, Psyche, and the lack of love she received throughout her life paved her path of transformation and acceptance of herself and divine intervention. Orual’s love for her sister was selfish and possessive, causing suffering in Psyche’s and Orual’s life. Orual’s skepticism towards the gods and her lack of accountability for Psyche’s agony drive the meaning behind her self-discovery. Her transformation of self-discovery left her to die at peace knowing that she was self-aware, truly understood love, how selfless it had to be, and the sacrifices needed for love, as well as the acceptance of the gods. When looking at Odysseus in The Odyssey, Augustine in The Confessions, and Orual in Till We Have Faces, they are three very different characters, they all embark on journeys that cause transformation within themselves. Odysseus’s being heroic and self-discovery, Augustine’s being spiritual, and Orual’s being spiritual and self-discovery. Each character faces trials and tribulations that morph and influence the path of their journeys, making each one different. Looking at similarity, the common themes of adversity,

In The Odyssey, the gods control the characters' lives and provide morality and the fate of the characters, especially Odysseus. Athena made it so that Odysseus’s journey could be completed. In The Confessions, Augustine looks back on his life and how Christ influenced and paved the way for his transformation into Christ. In Till We Have Faces, Orual is skeptical of the gods but ultimately accepts the truths that the gods give about the deeper meaning of her life and herself. All three of these literary works have something in common with each other when it comes to the message the author portrays to the readers: that everyone goes on their specific journeys within themselves to find the meaning of their life. Although it might not be heroism, spirituality, or self-discovery, everyone goes on journeys within themselves and faces trials and tribulations similar to the protagonists in The Odyssey, The Confessions, and Till We Have Faces. When looking at Augustine and Orual’s journeys, readers more than likely find those more relatable and personable. The transformation into Christianity is a common journey in the