Does Lewis Imply that Eustace is Mormon?

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mtdman

New member
As I am rereading through the books in preparation for the movie, I am on VDT now. As I read the first page of the book, it suddenly dawned on me that as Lewis is describing Eustace's parents, that they are Mormon. He describes them as "... non-smokers and tee-totalers and wore a special kind of underclothes." Which could be used to imply that they were Mormon.

That being said, with as bratty as Eustace is, and how he has to be "born again" by Aslan when he's a dragon, is there a subtle commentary by Lewis here?
 
I never caught that before, and when I read those first few sentences it hit me immediately, I dropped the book. I wouldn't have caught it either 5 years ago or so. Maybe it's just my imagination, I dunno.
 
mtdman said:
I never caught that before, and when I read those first few sentences it hit me immediately, I dropped the book. I wouldn't have caught it either 5 years ago or so. Maybe it's just my imagination, I dunno.
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Could it be a particular thread on this forum that made you notice this? There was some discussion on underpants somewhere.
 
Gibby said:
Could it be a particular thread on this forum that made you notice this? There was some discussion on underpants somewhere.
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No, more like my own experiences with the Mormon faith. Which is why I say 'dunno', I may be biased. It's subtle yet it's there.
 
I think WHB has the right of it here. There have been a lot of groups, sacred and secular, that have had odd dietary and clothing rules. I think his point is more that they were strict (in their way), trendy, and joyless people. I'd be surprised if Lewis even knew about Mormon underwear.
 
Just kinda added up to me. No smoking, drinking, and the undies. But that's just my opinion.

And I've been told that the LDS church regularly sends missions to England, they have in the past, and that they have a large population in England.

Just sayin'.
 
Funny that someone else wondered that. I myself wondered that the last time i read it, because i live in an area that is predominantly mormon, and no its not in the state of utah, lol. So i've heard all kinds of things that kids say about their parents and stuff and the under garments was one of them. So it is interesting. It did perk up my ears to it.

tg
 
I always thought they were just a very strange brand of liberal..I have no idea about what sort of underwear MOrmon's wear..and there are Mormon's in the Uk, I went to shcool with several, although they were going through the 'rebellious' phase and didn't talk about it much.
 
rosymole said:
I always thought they were just a very strange brand of liberal..I have no idea about what sort of underwear MOrmon's wear..and there are Mormon's in the Uk, I went to shcool with several, although they were going through the 'rebellious' phase and didn't talk about it much.
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Yes, when I went to high school, those same rebellious Mormons referred to themselves as "jack mormons".
 
Wow...never thought of that. I kinda doubt it though. I think it just means they were all about following modern trends. If you read some of Lewis's other writings you can tell he doesn't advocate all this. People think the strangest things are good for you. I tend to think that's more that he ment. They were so caught up in being modern and didn't think about Godly standard, maybe materialistic? that kind of thing.
 
I think the peculiar underclothes pretty much seals it. My mormon converted friend agrees with me and is going to bring it up at his church.
 
Of all the things you could conclude about Eustace's parents, why settle with "they're Mormon"? I think Orthodox Jews also wear special underwear. He could have been talking about thermal underwear. I had a professor one time who only wore 100% organic and unprocessed clothes, including underwear. Plus, Lewis also writes that Eustance's parents are vegetarians... but Mormons aren't even encouraged to be vegetarians. His parents seem odd, but not Mormon.

And if you're still not convinced:
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=810
________
herb scales
 
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