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Published: Dec. 5, 2023, 6:02 a.m.

On The Literary Life today, we wrap up our series on The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy L. Sayers. Angelina, Cindy, and Thomas begin the conversation with C. S. Lewis\u2019 critique of Sayers\u2019 work, both what he agreed with and disagreed with in this book, as well as touching on Tolkien\u2019s idea of artists as sub-creators. Cindy talks about what it is like writing a book in relation to Sayers\u2019 thoughts on the subject of authorship. Thomas shares why he took issue with part of her examples of scalene triangles and the Trinity in relation to aesthetic failures. Angelina shares her dilemma with this same portion, and they discuss the principle they think Sayers was trying to illustrate.

The House of Humane Letters is currently having their Christmas sale until December 31, 2023. Everything is now 20% OFF, so hop on over and get the classes at their best prices now. In addition to the sale, you can also sign up for Atlee Northmore\u2019s webinar \u201cA Medieval Romance in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: How to Read Star Wars.\u201d

Cindy is also offering at 20% OFF discount throughout the holidays. Use coupon code \u201cadvent2023\u201d on MorningTimeforMoms.com/shop until January 2024.

If you missed it, go back to last week\u2019s episode to get all the information about our 2024 Reading Challenge, Book of Centuries.

Commonplace Quotes:

Truth herself will, at the promptings of Nature, break forth from even unwilling hearts.

\u201cVeritas ipsa cogente natura etiam ab invitis pectoribus erumpit.\u201d

Lactantius, from Divine Institutes, Bk. II

Curiosity may elicit facts, but only real interest may mold these facts to wisdom.

Anna Botsford Comstock, from Handbook of Nature Study

I must therefore disagree with Miss Sayers very profoundly when she says that \u2018between the mind of the maker and the Mind of the Maker\u2019 there is \u2018a difference, not of category, but only of quality and degree\u2019 (p. 147). On my view there is a greater, far greater, difference between the two than between playing with a doll and suckling a child. But with this, serious disagreement ends.

This is the first \u2018little book on religion\u2019 I have read for a long time in which every sentence is intelligible and every page advances the argument. I recommend it heartily to theologians and critics. To novelists and poets, if they are already inclined in any degree to idolatry of their own vocation, I recommend it with much more caution. They had better read it fasting.

C. S. Lewis, from Image and Imagination

Thoughts

by Thomas Beddoes

Sweet are the thoughts that haunt the poet\u2019s brain Like rainbow-fringed clouds, through which some star Peeps in bright glory on a shepherd swain; They sweep along and trance him; sweeter far Than incense trailing up an out-stretched chain From rocking censer; sweeter too they are Than the thin mist which rises in the gale From out the slender cowslip\u2019s bee-scarred breast. Their delicate pinions buoy up a tale Like brittle wings, which curtain in the vest Of cobweb-limbed ephemera, that sail In gauzy mantle of dun twilight dressed, Borne on the wind\u2019s soft sighings, when the spring Listens all evening to its whispering.

Books Mentioned:

Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers

Home Economics by Wendell Berry

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