Who were the original "Inklings"?
The Inklings were a literary discussion group associated with the University of Oxford in England back in the 1930s and '40s. Its most well-known members were C.S. Lewis (author of the Chronicles of Narnia), J.R.R. Tolkien (author of The Lord of the Rings), Charles Williams and Owen Barfield.
The group typically met once or twice a week, in the words of Lewis, "theoretically to talk about literature, but in fact nearly always to talk about something better."
The two most famous Inklings, Lewis and Tolkien, were close friends who shared similar religious convictions and a fascination with myth and fantasy. It was partly through the influence of Tolkien and Barfield that Lewis converted from atheism to Christianity. These authors often read excerpts of books they were working on to their fellow Inklings at meetings, and it was largely thanks to Lewis's enthusiasm and encouragement that Tolkien was able to finish and publish his epic The Lord of the Rings.
How do the Inklings at St. Clarence correspond to the original Inklings?
StCYM's Inklings group bases its mission and many of its activities and traditions on Lewis and Tolkien:
1. Prayer. Lewis and Tolkien were not only two of the most famous authors, but two of the most famous Christians of the 20th century. Our book club acknowledges that all artistic creativity comes ultimately from God, the divine Author of the universe, and so we begin each Inklings meeting with a prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas.
2. Reading aloud. The StCYM Inklings meet every Monday night at the Youth Center to read and discuss Christian literature. We use the works of Lewis and Tolkien as a starting point, and from there we branch out to other Christian authors like G.K. Chesterton, John Milton, George McDonald and Flannery O'Connor.
3. Bird & Baby Night. The original Inklings often spent time at an Oxford pub called The Eagle & Child, which they nicknamed "the Bird & Baby." As a nod to the original Inklings, each time we finish a book we spend an evening at Starbucks, our stand-in for the pub.
4. Walking Tours. C.S. Lewis's favorite hobby was going for long walks across the English countryside. During the summer, the StCYM Inklings regularly go for long, adventurous journeys around North Olmsted.
How can I join the Inklings?
The Inklings take new registrations each time we begin a new book. Contact Danny O'Brien for more information.
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