This week, I've ridden a talking horse, raced across a gritty dessert, and stood close enough to feel the whiskers on Aslan's mane. In short, I've been in Narnia! A lovely place, if I may say so myself.There is so much to love about these stories, but here's how the words of C. S. Lewis truly captivate me: they raise questions. Lots of them. Will the kids make it to the castle in time to defend it from the bad guys? (holds breath!) How can Aslan be so good, yet so wild and untamed? Could I betray the others like Edmund did?
My favorite stories raise tons of questions; they keep me invested as the plot unfolds and the characters inch closer and closer to my heart. The questions seep through my walls and, inevitably, invite me to question some aspect of myself. What would I do in that situation? Have I ever felt that terrified? That trapped? That ecstatic?
The kind of fiction that sticks with me rarely offers pat answers to the questions raised. Instead, the story invites, challenges, and lifts me to a summit where I can see beyond what I could see before. That experience can be thrilling, scary, encouraging, jolting, etc. Regardless, it's an experience worth having.
What about you? Do you think questions are important in stories?
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14 comments:
I think questions are extremely important in stories. Without them I think fiction falls flat and it doesn't engage the reader. The end result would be a forgettable tale. I love Narnia!!
Yes...and in blog posts, too. ;) This was really interesting. I think the type of questions that Lewis was masterful at were the "what would I do?" ones...and he was able to get them into all of our minds without losing our interest in the story (in fact, they augmented it) and without making us feel like we were being talked down to...because he always lets his readers find their own answers.
Yes, I think questions are really important. And the type of questions you ask are really important. When you ask questions that put you in the same place as the characters, than you are connecting with these characters and plot. However, if you begin to question the plot, or character's motive than that's not a good thing :/
Great post!
I think there have to be a lot of question marks in stories. You need them to turn pages and get the answers!
Great post!
Palindrome: Whoo-hoo for a fellow Narnia-fan!
Faith E. Hugh: Yes, he weaves those "what would I do?" questions so subtly throughout his stories. Love that.
Girlinbetween: I agree. Connecting is the key.
Lydia Kang: True story!
I love this! My littlest daughter (3) has been carrying around our giant sized Narnia series book all day--she loves the story and so does my oldest.
I enjoy books that spark questions--especially after they're over. If I want to know what happens next or where the characters go or what they do, it's a hit :D
Definitely! I especially like the ones that are painted so well that they make me ask whether I would behave in the same ways under the same circumstances.
When I start wondering about the character and his/her life, decisions, and conflicts it makes me think of my own. I love the feeling of closing a book and still pondering about it and how it may relate to me.
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I think questions are vital in stories. They are what keeps people reading! BTW, I love Narnia and you've made me want to reread the series again!
Cindy R. Wilson: Ah, your daughter has excellent taste!
Rosslyn Elliot: Yup, they move you a bit.
Medeia Sharif: Yes, the stories that leave you pondering for days, weeks, those are my faves.
roberto.alberto: Thanks for the info!
Heather: Haha, bring on the rereading!
I do! It's basically what keep me pushing through to the end... and what grips me beyond. I love it when I have questions floating though my head when I close the book.
I haven't reading the Narnia books in AGES. Me thinks me needs to re-read them.
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