TGD - Student Sample (2012)

          Hell. Humanity has always been intrigued with the concept. Since the inception of written language and religion, man has prophesied about the place. Far evolved since the early days of the church, society has come to terms with multiple descriptions of the devil's lair. From the stereotypical imagery of fire and brimstone to the multi-layered freezer of Dante's Inferno, the human mind has become capable of depicting a plethora of painful scenarios that would be considered "hellish." Wat if hell wasn't about externally inflicted pain and searing heat? Could the human mind even begin to comprehend the unimaginable torture of a place where anything can be dreamt and the sun never sets? With his revolutionary depiction of the underworld, C. S. Lewis attempts to break the caustic, terrorizing and foul belief in the "old world" hell by tempting us with a place that seemingly suits our needs, desires, and lust.
          Humans are not known for their honesty, godliness or purity, despite what some think. Others go as far to say that humanity is God's failed experiment. Recognizing humanity's fall, Lewis establishes a hell that seems very entrenched in worldly things. The opposite can be said about Lewis' heaven, which contains no trace of human creations. On paper, Hell seems like an excellent place; perhaps this is what draws people in. In hell, you can think something and have it appear. In hell, you can be anything you want to be. This differs greatly from the traditional belief of fire, pain and a red-horned man.
          I appears as the perfect place to live. Lewis takes advantage of the weaknesses of men and builds a place that caters to their every desire. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything. Why dream of a house when it fails to keep the rain out? Why have the ability to own the things your heart desires, when it amounts to nothing? Lewis uses his hell to relate to our real-life material possessions which are miniscule in comparison to the Lord. 
          Lewis also evokes the thought of the individual in hell. Everyone in hell is the same. Each dweller hates each other for the same reasons, while failing to accept their own flaws. Each person in hell lives in a state of denial. The capitalist believes he can bring things from the real world and make a profit off of them; he, too, lacks any inkling of his insignificance and almost believes that he is not condemned.
          In reading The Great Divorce, the audience is enlightened with a form of hell that is far more terrifying than the ones used by the church. We are confronted with a place that seems so familiar from the world we came from. We are presented with a deal that is too good to be true, a place that suits our needs, desires, and lust.