Jack here moves from Cherbourg to Malvern and, though a young teenager (14), he is a very good writer. I can't help but keep thinking about the difference in education our young get in contrast to his. Indeed, his writing reflects his innate genius, but it is also a result of his education.
Lewis talks a couple of times about something I'm very familiar with: how it is that our imaginings of an anticipated event, often as an exercise in handling the stress, "make no difference to the event." (6 Jan, 7 Jun)
We find Jack ill at school on several occasions. He speaks of his "irritating chills to which I am subject in winter months" (24 Nov). The account of his convalesence at Malvern in this letter is quite amusing! He wonders what in the world the kitchen staff seem to be doing - they are making so much noise and laughing so much!
I'm glad I am reading this after having become more familiar with British school life through Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown's Schooldays, both in the book and in the movie - which is a must see! I refer to the earliest movie; filmed on location. Lewis' writing, references, and stories are just the kind of thing you find in Hughes. It is also worth noting that Lewis often talks about how he, for the most part, enjoys his school life. This is surprising in light of what he writes in Surprised by Joy (6 July, 8 July).
He complains much, earlier in this section, of Warnie's not writing to him. Warnie was not behaving very well at this time. He eventually leaves Malvern and goes to spend a year with "The Great Knock" to prepare for his Sandhurst exam.
An insight into Lewis' reading is found in his communications with his father about presents. He asks for "a nice edition of Kipling, whose poems I am just beginning to read...", (6 July), and Wagner's Ring Cycle (24 Nov). He continues to comment to his father about various Shakespearian plays.
Hooper's notes are really very good. He gives biographical information on practically everyone mentioned, even Jack's old school mates. He also provides additional information and a connecting narrative between letters. I really do appreciate his work here.
I'm amused by the term "kod" (p. 32, note 25). Jack also likes Armas Jarnefelt's Praeludium. I must hear that. (9 Nov)
24 Nov.: Jack is having a hard time with Greek grammar; he had not really had a good grounding before Malvern.
15 & 19 Oct.: Jack had both a drawing and a poem to be recognised by the school. The poem is in the latter letter; I like it; "Carpe Diem" after Horace.
Lastly, 8 July, there is a very interesting passage wherein Jack contrasts the atmosphere of his home with that of school. At home he "met that peculiar feeling - that literary ether." He misses being with his father in that environment.
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