Wallace 1
Alyssa Wallace
Mrs. Patterson
AP Literature
Period 1
April 3, 2012
Cliché Came Out of its Cage
As a classically renowned author for his work with the Chronicles of Narnia series, C. S. Lewis became known for his tenacious symbolism of God in his literature. This free verse poem demonstrates a speaker who bears a sinewy perspective towards the issues of religion and God. At the time this free verse was written, religion was a subject that most people were accustomed to and practiced on a daily basis. Religion was one matter that brought everyone together in America during the Edwardian period, the time Cliché Came Out of its Cage was written. It is apparent through out the piece of literature, that Lewis demonstrates a theme of social poignancy to those who do not follow and practice the will of God.
As the poem progresses the tone drastically transgresses to a despondent attitude. With the acquirement of the phrase “burning houses to die with men” (38) The free verse brings forth a sense of abhorrence to the followers of Paganism. The tone shifts after the first stanza. The poem embarks on the decorum of the people who stray from the teachings of God and the effects on humankind from their decisions. The second stanza relates to the specific actions and occurrences, which would bring people back from Paganism to the ways of Christianity.
Cliché Came Out of its Cage is characterized as gruesome and fearful, through its detail of imagery portrayed throughout the poem. Diction and images such as “For the end of man is to partake of their defeat and die”(33) categorizes the poem through the deep sensation of a life without God. Other forms of imagery also assist Lewis on reveling pathos throughout the piece of literature. Without this sense of emotion, Lewis’ poem would ultimately contain no deep meaning on the transgression of religious beliefs.
Throughout the poem, imagery, rhetorical questions, juxtapositions and allusions are all synthesized to relay the same meaning, the importance of religion in one’s life. Allusions towards Lord Russell(4) and Shun Hubris(16) both represent how the downfall of faith can contribute to an undesired hierarchy of higher power and its importance on society . “Or did you mean another kind of heathenry?” (24) This rhetorical question embarks the second stanza. It sets off the tone for the remainder of the poem and relates back to the original theme of the poem, Christianity.
Cliché Came Out of its Cage, does not contain a certain type of foot or meter, but it emphasizes the potency of staying faithful to one God through requirement of symbolism. Lewis upholds the theme that history repeats itself over and over again. The title of the poem Cliché Came Out of its Cage represents how something so normal and overly utilized can contain a new meaning and escape from the previous reality, but in the end it is still the same object or occurrence. This title exemplifies an accurate theme towards the poem. The poem declares the negative effects of how the absence of God can contribute to an upheaval of events in history. Once Paganism is brought into society, the beast will be let free from it’s cage just as the title exclaims.
The poem brings forth a purpose of relating past events in history to exhibit the negative consequences of history. In Lewis’ other works with the Chronicles of Narnia, he represents God as Aslan, a lion who maintains power over Narnia, just as God controls the universe. Lewis’ strong belief towards God sets the poem towards the direction that God is the shaper of the world. The poem states,” Look in, ready to invade it. The Wolf, admittedly, is bound” (28) This represents the sinful tactics of the Devil and his desires to bring Christianity down to a screeching halt. Lewis represents the significance of how religion shapes the world and with the absence of this extreme mold to society; the world would be filled with constant distractions and no purpose.
The poem, Cliché Came Out of its Cage, allows the audience to perceive the notion, which Lewis exalts through his perception of the importance of religion in a society and without this faith, the devil will succeed. The Edwardian period was a time of religion, and Lewis demonstrates this fact assiduously with the acquirement of allusions, rhetorical questions, imagery and juxtapositions. The author truly allows the audience to comprehend his point of view towards religion in the poem, and the negative consequences that occur without it.