Perelandra and the Fall of Man
Lewis cleverly ends “Out of the Silent Planet” by explaining that Ransom was just having a bad dream. Acquainting himself with this character enabled him to not only be a part of the incredible Perelandra, but actually the interpreter. This story is quite similar to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Ransom is sent to Venus (Perelandra) by Oyarsa. Interestingly his journey took place inside a casket. He traveled through the planet naked and eventually encountered a beautiful green woman who he learns is the Queen of Venus. Her innocence and kindness amazes him. Ransom finds out that she and the King are the only humans on the planet. Their floating islands are extremely beautiful and can only be described as a ‘paradise’.
Much to Ransom’s surprise Weston appears on the planet claiming to be a changed man. This was a lie. He eventually begins to take on a presence of the demonic and tries to tempt the green lady into staying the night on the fixed land.
Realizing that the Queen’s innocence was at stake, it was time for Ransom to try to protect her from the evil Weston. This task would prove to be much harder than what he had thought. He decides to attack his opponent only using physical force. The struggle goes on for quite some time, until it seemed that the waters actually became the devil himself and it seemed to swallow and then regurgitate Weston. Although injured he continues to go after Ransom and at last he is killed by Ransom after hitting him with a stone and his body becoming a volcanic flame.
The King and Queen meet with Ransom and Oyeresu of Mars who begin to build their dream world. His mission was now complete and he returns to Earth.
Once again this story appears to be an allegory of the Bible. To prevent the destruction of the innocence of Venus and its inhabitants, Ransom goes to the root of the evil and destroys it so that they can build their utopia.
“I suspect that men have sometimes derived more spiritual sustenance from the myths they did not believe than from the religion they professed.” C.S. Lewis, 'Myth Became Fact'
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