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Orts 77, 2022, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The last two and half years have seen big changes in how we connect and interact with each other, and this is especially the case for a Society like ours, where many are also geographically separated. While covid is still with us, hopefully things are slowly returning to the “new normal,” however, some of the changes that have occurred will have lasting significance, particularly the accelerated use of technology and move online. There is definitely still a place for face to face meetings, but Societies like ours also need to adapt, and a recurring theme in this newsletter is change. …

Cosmological Models And The Christian Faith In John Milton's Paradise Lost, Jacob R. Taylor

Tenor of Our Times

In this work the author argues that John Milton justifies the intelligibility and priority of Christian faith against modern revolutions of science in his epic poem Paradise Lost. Milton argues against scientists who choose to believe modern astronomy over cosmology. He argues that Christian faithfulness stands firm despite the crumbling of its medieval cosmological basis. This endurance of the faith is the primary scientific theme of the epic English poem.

"We Are Strangers In This Life": Theology, Liminality, And The Exiled In Anglo-Saxon Literature, Nathan John Haydon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In “‘We Are Strangers in this Life’: Theology, Liminality, and the Exiled in Anglo-Saxon Literature,” I analyze the theme of exile in the theological literature of the Anglo-Saxon era as a way of conveying the spiritual condition of eschatological separation. The anthropological theory of liminality will be applied in this dissertation as a way of contextualizing the existence of the exiled, and the multiple ways in which exile is enacted. The intervention of the theory of liminality in this dissertation offers a methodology and vocabulary for assessing what exile means in terms of a spiritual identity, how it operates in …

The Divinity That Shapes Our Ends: Theological Conundrums And Religious Scepticism In Hamlet, Kyler Merrill

Student Works

This paper proposes that Shakespeare deliberately incorporated speculative theology into Hamlet to stimulate religious scepticism. It explores the troubling implications of the ghost’s behaviour, cinematic adaptations of the murder testimony, and the characters’ moral failings in the purportedly Catholic cosmos of Elsinore.

Tom Bombadil And Goldberry: Romantic Theology As Revelation In Tolkien’S The Lord Of The Rings, Brandon Best

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

While the majority of literary critics suggest Tom Bombadil either subverts or dilutes the Rivendell’s against Mordor, this essay analyzes Bombadil and Goldberry through the romantic theology of Charles Williams, Tolkiens’ fellow Inkling. William’s romantic theology suggests romantic experiences reveals glimpses of perfection, suggesting the Hobbits’ stay at Tom Bombadil’s home within Withywindle reveals the ideal of salvation within The Lord of the Rings. Utilizing Williams’ Outlines of Romantic Theology, this essay shows how Tolkien’s vision for an ideal community guides Bombadil as the moral model for the rest of the free peoples to follow. While romantic theology clearly influenced …

Orts 75, 2015, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Over the past year, I and a couple of other postgraduate/early career researchers who share my interest in fantasy studies have launched an initiative called Reading the Fantastic (www.readingthe- fantastic.tumblr.com) at the University of Leeds (UK); our focus is the exploration of fantasy, fairy tale and folk tale texts as spaces of multi-cultural and intercultural connection. Initially involving a guest speaker talk and regular reading group sessions collecting fantasy and fairy tale texts from a wide range of cultures, our activities have expanded (thanks to various funding grants). In addition to adding a regular seminar series to our reading group …

Orts 74, 2013, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The George MacDonald Society will be hosting a conference from lunchtime Wednesday 13 August to Friday 15 August 2014 at C.S. Lewis' own College, Magdalen, in Oxford. The provisional title is Re-­‐ Imagining the Inklings: the Victorian Roots of Modern Fantasy, and will be chaired by Professor Stephen Prickett our Chairman.

Don't Take Orpheus Without The Lyre: The Intricacies Of Using Pagan Myths For Christian Purposes In The Divine Comedy And Paradise Lost, Rebekah J. Waltmann

Masters Theses

Because of their universal and artistic nature, the classical myths lend themselves well to use in literature, especially poetry. When used properly, as by Dante and Milton, the myths have the ability to enhance the work; when used poorly, they become gaudy ornamentation. It was, and is, this ability to enhance both the artistry and function of literature that pulled so many poets to the myths, despite the difficulties that could arise when the pagan myths did not quite match the Christian setting. My purpose in this thesis is not to explicate every use of myth within The Divine Comedy …

Orts 73, 2012, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Orts will soon join North Wind’s Online Digital Archive, thanks to the ongoing efforts of John Pennington, who teaches at Saint Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Dr. Pennington, one of the editors of North Wind: A Journal of George MacDonald Studies, previously oversaw the digitization of the academic journal. Jaena Manson, an editorial intern at the journal, is assisting in the process, a considerable task given that the archive will encompass the newsletter’s entire history, from the first issue published over thirty years ago in 1981 to the present edition. As with North Wind, the Orts archive will be …

The Sacrament Of Violence: Myth And War In C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy, Tanya Engelhardt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My primary aim for this study is to illuminate the Ransom trilogy's inherent psychological and spiritual themes, as well as demonstrate how these themes clarify Lewis's philosophical and political goals for the text. Specifically, by investigating Lewis's mythic imagery and suffering motifs in light of psychoanalytic and theological literary criticisms, I elucidate the reasoning behind Lewis's unique—and at times, horrific—portrayal of fear, violence, and death. I also investigate how Lewis integrates his theology with the horrors of personal and intrapersonal suffering, as well as how he utilizes imagination and myth to explicate the practical (or political) implications of his theodicy. …

Orts 72, 2011, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

MacDonald on BBC Television

George MacDonald received welcome publicity on BBC Television’s popular Sunday afternoon religious programme Songs of Praise on 16th January this year when I was interviewed about his life and work in a programme broadcast from Arundel in West Sussex. Songs of Praise, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, is centred around hymns chosen by local people and sung in a cathedral or large church, but also includes interviews with local people and others about matters of interest.

Orts 71, 2010, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Annual General Meeting The next Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Saturday 6th November 2010 at 10 Appian Court, Parnell Road, London E3 2RS at 2pm. Space is limited, so if you intend coming please contact Roger Bardet on + 44 (0)20 8980 0083 or at r.bardet@hotmail.co.uk. The purpose of the meeting is to receive accounts and a report of the Society’s activities, to elect officers and committee for 2011 and to discuss the Society’s future programme. The nearest underground is either Mile End or Bow Road. Members wishing to explore the neighbourhood ahead of time …

Orts 70, 2007, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

In the summer of 2005, just as we were commemorating the centenary of George MacDonald's death, I received a surprise telephone call from Kate Davies. She was helping two aunts to move out of their large house in Sanderstead, Surrey and into sheltered accommodation and had discovered a large collection of George MacDonald books, many of them first editions and many signed by the author, that had belonged to her aunts' grandfather, William Carey Davies, a Croydon man (south of London) who had been George's private secretary in his later years. Her aunts' father, George MacDonald Davies, had had a …

Orts 69, 2006, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The MacDonalds moved to Manchester in 1853 and later moved into 3, Camp terrace, Lower Broughton, 'a nice house, large, and in some respects handsome' for £35 a year. Greville was born during this period, and MacDonald attended the inaugural lecture of the Working Men's College given by his friend F.D. Maurice. MacDonald's first book Within and Without was published during his Manchester years.

Orts 67, 2005, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

(The Princess and the Goblin at the Gordon Schools, Huntly, December 15 through 17, 2004)

The Gordon Schools' production of The Princess and the Goblin was a treat. In Stuart Paterson's adaptation for the stage, George MacDonald's fable retains its particular charm; but, being a tale of good versus evil, it also provides the elements of pantomime.

Orts 68, 2005, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

An English Heritage blue plaque was unveiled by the wellknown biographer and novelist A.N. Wilson at Tudor Lodge, 20 Albert Street, Camden Town in north London on Tuesday 28th June. George MacDonald and his family lived at Tudor Lodge from 1860 to 1863 in the early days of his career as a writer. The plaque describes MacDonald most appropriately as a 'Story Teller'. Mr. Wilson made a speech quoting from his favourite MacDonald book, At the Back of the North Wind. Then the Society's Chairman, Richard Lines, made a short speech giving an overview of MacDonald's significance, followed by John …

Orts 66, 2004, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

About thirty members from both Societies attended an enjoyable and rewarding one day conference on Saturday 30th October at which two speakers from each Society gave papers on the treatment of the treatment of the character of Lilith in Williams's Descent into Hell and MacDonald's Lilith and other works. Brian Horn gave a concise, but detailed paper on the Williams novel, concentrating particularly on the character of Lawrence Wentworth who, through his own self-love and disregard for others, does literally 'descend into hell'. Brian read his concise, but detailed and erudite, paper in thirty five minutes, allowing plenty of time …

Orts 63, 2003, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The Society’s AGM will be on Saturday 4th October 2003 at 2.30pm in the Gardiner Room at Swedenborg House, 20 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH. The speaker after the conclusion of formal business will be Fernando Soto on ‘George MacDonald, Lewis Carroll and Classical Mythology’. The formal business of the meeting will consist of minutes of the previous Meeting, the Chairman’s report, report from the Hon. Treasurer and Membership Secretary and annual accounts and election of officers and committee.

Orts 62, 2002, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

It is always a pleasure to find a contemporary book, pamphlet or magazine article previously unrecorded in the bibliographies. Recently I came across-'The Elocutionist' with a portrait of George MacDonald on the cover and two poems for recitation within its pages: 'Abu Midjan' and 'After an Old Legend' - both from 'Parables and Ballads' (being Vol. IV of 'Works of Fancy and Imagination’ 1871). It is good to know that the public at large were introduced to MacDonald's poetry in this way. I have practised reciting the poems (on my own) and would agree that they are worth reading out …

Orts 61, 2002, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The Society was founded in 1980, seventy-five years after MacDonald's death in 1905. It exists to celebrate and promote the works of George MacDonald and provide a forum for the exchange of views and information about his life and work.

Members of the Society receive the quarterly newsletter Orts (meaning 'scraps') and the annual journal, North Wind. There are annual one-day conferences for members in varying locations throughout Britain.

Orts 60, 2001, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The George MacDonald Society

The Society was founded in 1980, seventy-five years after MacDonald's death in 1905. It exists to celebrate and promote the works of George MacDonald and provide a forum for the exchange of views and information about his life and work.

Members of the Society receive the quarterly newsletter Orts (meaning 'scraps') and the annual journal, North Wind. There are annual one-day conferences for members in varying locations throughout Britain.

Orts 59, 2001, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The Society was founded in 1980, seventy-five years after MacDonald's death in 1905. It exists to celebrate and promote the works of George MacDonald and provide a forum for the exchange of views and information about his life and work.

Deity And Creation In The Christian Doctrine, Kent Lehnhof

English Faculty Articles and Research

Explores the interplay of orthodoxy and heresy in author John Milton's individual theology. Details on Milton's understanding of the Godhead; Discussion on Nicene Creed and the writings of Saint Augustine; Description of Milton's view of God.

Orts 56, 2000, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Just as Bunyan and Bedford go together, so do George MacDonald and The Pilgrim's Progress to those who are interested in the life of George MacDonald.

This lifelong connection began in MacDonald's childhood when he read and enjoyed The Pilgrim's Progress and continued through to his identification in later life with the character of 'Greatheart' by his friends.

Orts 57, 2000, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

After a lot of problems, our plans to involve the MacDonald Society in this important event are now in place, thanks to the encouragement of many people. When it seemed that cost would prevent us from having an official display/stall, the Aberdeenshire Library Service generously offered us the use of the main meeting-room at the Brander Library and Museum building in Huntly Town Square. There is a fine MacDonald display case in the Museum full of objects such as costumes from the family's performances of The Pilgrim's Progress and we hope that visitors will go on from there to visit …

Orts 58, 2000, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held at Swedenborg House, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WCI at 7 for 7.30 pm. on Friday October 20th. Swedenborg House is just a few minutes walk from Holborn Underground Station, towards the British Museum.

After the business meeting the Revd John Pridmore, Vicar of Hackney, will speak on MacDonald's mentors, with particular reference to A.J. Scott. John has twice previously addressed the Society at its AGM and his talks are very popular.

Orts 55, 2000, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

In my capacity as Chairman of the Society I attended the service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Sir Hugh Casson CH KCVO and his wife Lady Casson at St Paul's Cathedral on Monday 29th November 1999. Sir Hugh, the famous architect and artist and former President of the Royal Academy, was a Vice-President of the George MacDonald Society, as was his wife. Lady Casson nee Margaret (Reta) MacDonald Troup, a great-niece of George MacDonald and younger sister of our founder member and long-standing Committee Member Winifred (Freda) Levson, died just two weeks before the date arranged for …

Orts 50, 1999, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

The relatively small number of members who were able to attend the Society's AGM in London on October 16th were privileged to hear a most interesting and informative talk about the life and work of George MacDonald's great friend, the social reformer Octavia Hill (1838-1912). The talk was given by Robert Whelan, Assistant Director of the Health and Welfare Unit at the Institute of Economic Affairs, the independent 'think-tank' whose views were said to have been particularly influential when Margaret Thatcher was in power. Robert Whelan, who has a degree in English from Cambridge, has written widely on social policy …

Orts 51, 1999, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Chesterton/MacDonald Conference

This one-day conference will take place at Plater College, Headington, Oxford on Saturday September 25th 1999. The cost, including morning coffee and lunch, will not exceed £15. It is the principal U.K. event for the Society in 1999 and we hope that as many members and friends as possible will attend. Oxford is easily accessible by road and rail from most parts of the country, with very frequent local buses from the rail and coach stations to Headington. Express coach services from London, which serve request stops in Headington, are very cheap and likewise very frequent. A varied …

Orts 52, 1999, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

Please note that, due to a newly scheduled visitation by the Bishop, the date of this conference has had to be changed to Saturday Sept. 18th 1999. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4.30pm. Planning will be helped if members and friends confirm as soon as possible that they hope to attend. Details of the programme are currently being finalised and will be sent out to everyone who expresses an interest. Please contact our Secretary, Deirdre Hayward at Cruister, SANDWICK, Shetlands, ZE2 9HN. Tel.01950 431587.