C'Stone News!

For those hankering to meet or hear presentations by devoted fans of Lewis, Tolkien, Williams, et al., I'm happy to invite you to Mythcon XXXIV. Mythcons, or Mythopoeic Society Conferences, are gatherings of people who, for going on 34 years now, have been pleased to discuss the finer details of Inklings-related literature. Papers presented in the recent past include "Tolkien's Application of Historical Linguistics to Elvish Languages," "Lewis Carroll as a Proto-Inkling," and "'We few, we happy few...': War and Glory in Henry V and The Lord of the Rings," to name just a few. The Mythopoeic Society, sponsor of the Mythcons, calls itself a "non-profit international literary and educational organization for the study, discussion, and enjoyment of fantasy and mythic literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams."

This coming Mythcon is to be held in Nashville, Tennessee, 25-28 July 2003. "From Athena to Galadriel: The Image of the Wise Woman in Mythopoeic Fiction" is its theme, explained further: "Wisdom, both rational and intuitive, has often been symbolized by feminine figures, from Pallas Athene down to George MacDonald's goddess-figures; Charles Williams' Sibyl Coningsby; Tolkien's Galadriel; C.S. Lewis' Psyche; and others." The Scholar Guest of Honor will be Dr. Dabney Hart, author of "C.S. Lewis's Defense of Poesie," a highly recommended introduction to Lewis's literary work.

I find myself drawn to Mythcons over and again as I think about hanging around folks who deeply enjoy exploring the Inklings Universe. Mythopoeic Society Conferences are attended by Christians as well as nonChristians, I will note, and while some are leery of discussing their favorite Christian authors in such a setting, others are encouraged by this widespread appeal of said authors.

I go to Mythcons because I, who am not usually engaged in Inklings-specific work, am hungry to glean from a variety of perspectives as facets of Inklings' writings rarely encountered are examined (Tolkien's and Lewis's views of the feminine, rejected Lord of the Rings plot twists, the development of the Elvish languages, etc.). Much Inklings-related knowledge is ripe for the picking at Mythcons, be it knowledge regarding both the private and public lives of Lewis, Tolkien, Williams, et al.; others' interpretations of their work; Inklings' influence on modern film and literature; or the philosophical value of their writings. Inklings literature is analyzed alongside the works of Shakespeare, Dante, G.K. Chesterton, Jane Austen, Ursula Le Guin, George MacDonald, Dorothy Sayers, Joy Davidman, John Milton, Edmund Spencer, William Blake, and others. Systematic comparison of such authors' works with a given Inkling author's writings causes differences and similarities to arise, giving one more the feel of watching an archaeologist compare two bone specimens in attempts to discover the true identity of the creatures in question. What better writers to examine thusly than the Inklings?

Certainly worthy of mention are Mythcons' Bardic Circles. Any conference attendees who desire gather nightly to take turns sharing poetry, music, etc.--one participant brought out a true horror story of her grandmother. Jewel after jewel is pulled out--often pieces no one else is familiar with. Be sure to pack your dulcimers, then ...... and head to http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon34.html for more details...