Swedenborg's Influence on Blake and TGD

William Blake lived and created in a time of tremendous upheaval, both politically and religiously, and in the arena of religion Emanuel Swedenborg was a key figure. He influenced many of the artists and poets of the next century, including William Blake.

William Blake and The Great Divorce

Mystic, poet, genius, madman, heretic, tortured soul, prophet, romantic, artist--all these labels have been aptly applied to William Blake. It is impossible to pick the best descriptor because they all fit to one degree or another.

What was his relationship to TGD? As CSL states in his Preface, the book was a direct response to one of Blake's most famous and controversial works, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. The meaning of this enigmatic work is debated even now, two centuries later, and will likely be debated two centuries from now. Was it satire, sarcasm, heresy, or some mystic insight into ultimate truth? Opinions span the gamut, but there are distinct themes that have a direct bearing on TGD. One of these is that Good is stagnant without the "energies" of change, rebellious spirit, and evil forces.

The Great Divorce

We are starting the discussion of The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis on Sunday nights at 6:30. The first meeting was September 27th, and we discussed the background of the book, its purpose, and the Preface.

On October 4th we will begin the first chapter in earnest and talk about the Grey Town, its ghosts, and the strange bus ride.

See you there!