The Ying Yang nature of Realism and Fantasy

In his essay "On Realisms," C. S. Lewis presents the ying yang nature of realism and fantasy, since one cannot not really exist without the other. He outlines how realism is an element of fiction, disapproves of the idea of children's literature, and is critical of the term "childish." Lewis implores that well written fiction must be somewhat true to life. As he cleverly puts it, "no one can deceive you unless he makes you think he is telling the truth" (67). This has biblical foundations, since it was the serpent who deceived Eve in to doubting God and believing him. The most believable and dangerous lies have elements of truth intertwined within.

At first I was a bit apprehensive of Lewis's disapproval of age restricted literature. However as I thought more about it and let his reason resonate, I began to change my mind. Books should be timeless and appreciated by the young and old simultaneously. The books that were most influential in my life, I would read again as my hair grays and I would have my children read them too. If there is a book only children should read, is it really worth their time intellectually? Or if the book is "too adult" should adults really be reading that? I do not know how we can expect our children to have advanced reading levels and maturity if they are given the watered down selection publishers determine suitable for their age. The biblical application would be the verse 1 Corinthians 13:11, because as we grow we (hopefully) mature: as in think of others besides ourselves and welcome insight into all experiences. If there is no substance in a book to help us grow as a reader, then it is not worth our time. 

On the other hand, Lewis defends that real fiction is not childish, but utilizes the imagination and energy associate with youth. He makes a valid point when he says, "if we use the words childish or infantile as terms of disapproval, we must make sure that they refer only to those characteristics of childhood which we become better and happier by out-growing" (71). Many critics dismiss fantasy as childish, looking down on the adults who adoringly read The Hobbit, "The Chronicles of Narnia," and "Harry Potter." I agree with Lewis here because these works are not childish because they do nothing detrimental to the maturity of the reader. There is nothing condescending, and in fact, the older/wiser/more mature the reader is, the more they extract from the text. There is nothing infantile about good triumphing over evil or disregarding commonly held stereotypes to give people a chance to prove themselves. The best verse that applies to this idea is Proverbs 1:7, since fools are unable to appreciate wisdom and maturity, so they resort to the childish practices of name-calling by throwing the label "childish" anything they feel is beneath them.