Podcast Summary: The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast

Episode: Totalitarian Novels: That Hideous Strength and Faith
Air Date: April 16, 2025
Hosts: Jeremiah Regan, Juan Davalos | Lecturer: Dr. Larry Arnn

Overview

This episode features a lecture and discussion on C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength as part of Hillsdale’s lecture series on totalitarian novels. The hosts and Dr. Larry Arnn explore Lewis’s distinct approach to the genre, the novel’s cosmic scope, its Christian underpinnings, and its unique resolution compared to other dystopian works like 1984 and Brave New World. The episode also examines themes from Lewis’s philosophical treatise The Abolition of Man, discussing the relationship between faith, morality, totalitarian impulses, and the human condition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context within Totalitarian Novels (00:21–01:08)

• That Hideous Strength is unique among the selected totalitarian novels (1984, Brave New World, Darkness at Noon) because it depicts the genesis of a totalitarian regime rather than its peak or aftermath.
• Unlike the others, Lewis’s novel ends with the failure of the totalitarian project, offering a truly happy ending that stands out in the genre.
  • Quote:

    “It’s the only one in which the regime has not become totalitarian. You’re seeing its genesis and ultimately... by the end of it, it fails, so makes it the only totalitarian novel with a truly happy ending.” — Jeremiah Regan (00:21)

2. C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy and Its Place (01:08–02:40)

• That Hideous Strength is the third book in Lewis’s Space Trilogy but functions as a standalone work, with a heavier focus on politics and less on science fiction.
• The trilogy’s protagonist, Ransom, shifts from cosmic (space travel) conflicts to direct engagements with evil on earth.
  • Quote:

    “It’s the least science fictiony and the most political of all of them. And he really wrote it as a fictional companion piece to the Abolition of Man...” — Jeremiah Regan (01:40)

• Comparison to other Lewis works establishes the theological depth and philosophical intent of the novel.

3. God’s Role and the Hopeful Ending (01:40–02:40)

• The episode contrasts the inclusion of God and the supernatural in Lewis’s narrative with Orwell’s atheistic dystopia.
• Orwell critiqued Lewis for “cheating” by bringing in God, but the hosts argue this makes the novel more realistic and hopeful.
  • Quote:

    “Our other works don’t have God in them, but God is real and he does produce justice... It gives hope and it encourages bravery and fortitude.” — Jeremiah Regan (01:40)

4. The Setting and Structure of the Novel (03:43–07:05)

• Dr. Arnn describes the three main settings:
  • Bracton College (with Merlin’s Well at its center)
  • The NICE (National Institute for Coordinated Experiments), representing bureaucratic, totalitarian ambition
  • St. Anne’s, led by protagonist Ransom, standing against the NICE
• The battle over Merlin’s Well becomes a metaphor for the struggle between materialist domination and organic community/tradition.

5. The NICE as a Symbol of Modern Bureaucracy (07:33–09:06)

• NICE is an institution with unchecked powers—“making laws, enforcing laws, judging cases,” combining roles analogous to modern administrative agencies.
  • Quote:

    “If you just think about the administrative agencies in America... Most laws in America are made by those agencies now.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (08:30)

• The evocative, sinister names of NICE leaders (Wither, Frost) echo Orwell’s O’Brien, reinforcing the novel’s satirical intent.

6. Lewis’s Cosmic Vision and Medieval Cosmology (10:10–12:59)

• Lewis bases his universe on the medieval cosmological order, with Earth at the “bottom” and celestial beings (planets/angels) influencing humanity.
• The “influence” of the planets shapes character and fate, intertwining myth, theology, and science fiction.
  • Quote:

    “He knows Renaissance literature the best... And he describes the universe as it appears to the medievals... We were at the bottom of it, looking up at a great and mighty structure.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (10:50)

7. Magic, Science, and the Quest for Power (16:13–18:14)

• The character Merlin embodies the transition from ancient “magic” (power over nature) to modern techno-scientific ambition.
• Lewis critiques the drive to manipulate nature as ultimately a lust for power that risks dehumanization.
  • Quote:

    “Is it our interest to change more than to understand? Because if you elevate that, it will compromise your understanding and... make you much more interested in power than anything else.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (17:15)

• NICE’s wish to replace organic life with mechanical substitutes is an echo of the extreme totalitarian project.

8. Heroic Virtue and Christian Chivalry (18:45–20:22)

• Ransom is characterized by both courage and obedience to God—a model of Christian heroism and chivalry.
• Lewis’s admiration for these virtues is highlighted, as is his belief in their necessity for resisting evil.
  • Quote:

    “He’s trust to God... he has to be obedient as well as bold... CS Lewis was very taken with knighthood.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (18:53)

9. Faith and the Argument for God (20:27–23:37)

• Lewis’s philosophical case: Notions of “the good” in people imply a standard of goodness beyond subjectivism, suggesting the existence of God.
  • Quote:

    “Lewis likes to make this argument... He says we have evidence of a more perfect being by looking at our own selves, because some parts of us are better than others.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (21:36)

• The problem with the totalitarian impulse is its presumption to play God—but without the benevolence or perfection that true divinity implies.

10. The Studdicks’ Marriage: Personal Redemption (23:38–25:40)

• The subplot of Mark and Jane Studdick’s marriage illustrates personal redemption and the challenge of genuine self-giving in relationships.
• Mark’s temptation by NICE and his eventual rebellion at their inhumanity parallel the larger ethical struggles of the novel.
  • Quote:

    “Mark is a social scientist and he falls in with these people at the Nice and they almost kill him. But for a time he joins in their effort to reduce everything to their power... The reaction comes because they’re doing experiments... and he rebels against that.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (25:00)

11. Abolition of Man: Objective Value vs. Subjectivism (27:33–31:00)

• Central to the episode is Lewis’s argument in The Abolition of Man:
  • If we deny objective value, we lose our humanity and rationality, becoming mere creatures of will and impulse.
• The “sublime vs. pretty” example shows how denial of objective reality leads to moral and existential nihilism.
  • Quote:

    “If you ask them what something is, they start telling you their opinions about it... Your opinions are not sovereign. What is the thing? Go look at the thing.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (29:15)

• That Hideous Strength dramatizes what happens when society tries to abolish objective value.

12. God vs. Totalitarian Deification of Power (31:01–32:49)

• In both 1984 and Lewis, the desire for absolute control (O’Brien or the NICE) is revealed as self-defeating and self-abolishing.
• True divinity elevates, loves, and perfects; false claims to godhood destroy the self and society.
  • Quote:

    “God is a person who’s so elevated that he doesn’t even think about anything below him... The account of him is that he abounds with love and it pours over into us. And both of those things can claim to be perfect. Whereas a thing that just works its will upon other things all the time... abolishes man.” — Dr. Larry Arnn (31:43)

13. The Climax and Resolution (32:50–33:41)

• The planetary powers intervene, working through Merlin—who is “soiled but a believer”—to defeat the NICE.
• Lewis, through classical, philosophical, and theological learning, creates a “hilarious, thrilling, great, triumphant” ending.
  • Quote:

    “When these gods come down... It’s hilarious, it’s thrilling, great, triumphant...” — Dr. Larry Arnn (33:25)

14. Final Reflections: Faith, Courage, and Philosophy (33:42–End)

• The true purpose of reading these novels is philosophical and moral: they challenge us to confront questions of truth, power, and faith.
  • Quote:

    “Why would you import God? You can’t. He’s already in there. Just when you think about right and wrong, it leads right up there, right?” — Dr. Larry Arnn (33:37)

• Lewis’s inclusion of God is not escapism but a confrontation with ultimate reality, giving the reader both comfort and courage in facing the threats depicted in the genre.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It’s the only totalitarian novel with a truly happy ending.”
  — Jeremiah Regan (00:21)
• “On the face of it, That Hideous Strength has... fantasy elements... but I argue that it is the most realistic because God is real and he does produce justice...”
  — Jeremiah Regan (01:40)
• “If you just think about the administrative agencies in America... Most laws in America are made by those agencies now.”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (08:30)
• “He describes the universe as it appears to the medievals... We were at the bottom of it, looking up at a great and mighty structure.”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (10:50)
• “Is it our interest to change more than to understand?... it will compromise your understanding and... make you much more interested in power than anything else.”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (17:15)
• “Jesus is not mentioned in the novel, but it’s a Christian cosmos he describes. That’s what Orwell objects to. But mark this point: it’s a very important point...”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (19:00)
• “Your opinions are not sovereign. What is the thing? Go look at the thing.”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (29:15)
• “God is a person who’s so elevated that he doesn’t even think about anything below him... abounds with love and it pours over into us... O’Brien is a slave. He actually destroys himself.”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (31:43)
• “Why would you import God? You can’t. He’s already in there. Just when you think about right and wrong, it leads right up there, right?”
  — Dr. Larry Arnn (33:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:21 — The narrative uniqueness and hopeful ending of That Hideous Strength
• 01:08–02:40 — C.S. Lewis, the Space Trilogy, and the book’s philosophical companion
• 03:43–07:05 — Major settings of the novel: Bracton College, the NICE, St. Anne’s
• 08:30 — The NICE as a symbol of unchecked modern bureaucracy
• 10:10–12:59 — Medieval cosmology and its role in Lewis’s fiction
• 17:15 — Magic, science, and the drive for domination
• 18:45–20:22 — Ransom as Christian hero; the virtue of chivalry
• 21:36 — The argument from the existence of the good
• 25:00 — Mark Studdick’s moral crisis and the theme of marriage
• 29:15 — Abolition of Man: Objective reality vs. self-sovereignty
• 31:43 — Distinguishing God from the totalitarian will to power
• 33:25 — The climactic intervention and triumphant ending
• 33:37–End — Philosophical reflections and the encouragement of faith

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is deeply intellectual, weaving Christian theology, philosophical reasoning, and literary analysis. The tone is thoughtful but accessible, with moments of humor and warmth—especially when Dr. Arnn recalls classroom anecdotes or discusses his own marriage.

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look at That Hideous Strength, positioning it as C.S. Lewis’s answer to the totalitarian novel genre. Through theological, philosophical, and literary insights, the hosts and Dr. Arnn argue that the inclusion of faith is not only legitimate but essential to answering the threats posed by modern tyranny. Lewis’s vision of ultimate hope and the necessity of moral and spiritual courage provides a bracing alternative to the “sad endings” of atheistic dystopia.