![]() ![]() ![]() The similarities between these two fictional works are extensive, and the resemblance is certainly not accidental, as Lewis was a professor of the humanities at Oxford and therefore was obviously well acquainted with Dante's epic poem. What similarities does this novel bear to the Divine Comedy of Dante? The title also refers to the harsh divergence of paths ('divorce') after a person's death into the dual realms of Heaven and Hell. Although he claims not to be attacking Blake in the preface, Lewis's stark dichotomy of Heaven and Hell contrasts dramatically with the cosmology promoted by the Romantic poet. Over a century later, Lewis addresses this so-called "marriage" with this novel, which he entitled The Great Divorce (prompted by his publisher) in reference to the aforementioned 'marriage' of Blake. William Blake, one of the major influential figures of Romantic poetry, published a book in the late 18th century called The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, in which he explores (via a similar narrative device, visiting Hell in a dream) the natures of Heaven and Hell, which he paints as being not diametrically opposed but coexisting in a bound state he refers to as "marriage." Written by people who wish to remain anonymousĮxplain the significance of the title of The Great Divorce. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. ![]()
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