[I spoil the main thrust of the story.]
That first paragraph might be a bit misleading, because this story is not about computers, video games, or any technology whatsoever. Let me explain. The story is about a man who is getting a visit from an old friend. This friend brings over his fiancé, although he sort of did it without announcing he would. The protagonist is not the type who likes having those sort of encounters forced upon him.
Strangely, while they are talking, he slips into a different reality. Now, this new world he is in has what is commonly called in video games "a low-poly environment." Everything around him is just barely recognizable as grass, flowers, and trees, but they are simply lacking the detail to appreciate up close. You may notice things like this in older games from the 90's, such as on the N64 and PS1. "Doom" is another great example of low-poly. You might see a tree that could have been drawn by a child, and even then you might only see just one side of that tree no matter where you look at it from. This is the sort of experience the protagonist of the story appeared to be going through.
Since the story was written in an era before this sort of technology, it is quite interesting that it is so relatable in the modern day. What he is actually trying to describe are things that have little detail because the "mind" that he is inside does not really care for those things. When that "mind" does care about something, they tend to have better detail. In this case, those things are specific flowers, women's dresses, and jewelry.
The truth was that the man had somehow slipped into an alternate dimension that was the embodiment of that woman his friend had brought over. There was even a giant version of her that was far more beautiful than the real thing present in this strange world.
What was it all about? Answer: feminine narcissism. Although this doesn't apply to all women, Lewis was making a point. He was also making the point that this woman was not really a great pick by his friend, as she seemed more obsessed with herself or perhaps what she could get from her soon-to-be husband.
But feminine narcissism is a thing, and it isn't good. It is sadly one of the reasons why so many unborn babies are killed every single day. Lewis strikes a good cord with me in this story, and I am very pleased that he bothered to write this. I recommend this story. It is politically incorrect, and thank goodness for that.
This blog was written on February 12, 2025.
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Fascinating that the author was able to consider how perspective can be extremely different on a personal level. We assume people see things like we do... but they do not. We misunderstand each other accordingly. Interesting that the woman had a shallow view of the world on the outside because she was shallow on the inside. Yeah, feminine pride is a problem. It is against the innocent, of all people!
ReplyDeleteThis story is extremely relevant even today. It may have been relevant through all of history.
DeleteThose who are vain tend to be empty inside. In their desire to be liked, they often neglect the things that make them likable. If beauty is skin deep, what makes someone beautiful is so much deeper.
ReplyDeleteSo true.
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