66 pages 2 hours read

C. S. Lewis

The Great Divorce

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1945

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Introduction

Teacher Introduction

The Great Divorce

  • Genre: Fiction; Christian Allegory; Fantasy
  • Originally Published: 1945
  • Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
  • Structure/Length: Approximately 160 pages; approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes on audiobook
  • Protagonist/Central Conflict: The narrative is a dream sequence told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator who finds himself in a grey, joyless town (representing Hell or Purgatory) and takes a bus journey to a bright, solid country (Heaven). The central conflict revolves around the various characters embracing or rejecting the invitation to Heaven, alongside themes of sin, redemption, and the nature of human desires in relation to divine grace.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Religious themes and allegory; discussions of morality and sin; philosophical explorations of Christian theology

C. S. Lewis, Author

  • Bio: Born in 1898; died in 1963; British writer and scholar; known for his works on Christian apologetics as well as his fantasy and science fiction novels; was a prolific writer whose works have had a significant impact on both religious and literary fields.
  • Other Works: The Chronicles of Narnia series (1950-1956); Mere Christianity (1952); The Screwtape Letters (1942); The Space Trilogy series, including Out of the Silent Planet (1938), Perelandra (1943), and That Hideous Strength (1945)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 66 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools