Till We Have Faces Summary & Key Insights

C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces retells the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the perspective of Psyche's older, overlooked sister, Orual. The novel unfolds in the ancient kingdom of Glome, a land ruled by a cruel and capricious god, Ungit. Orual, a strong-willed but insecure princess, deeply loves her beautiful younger sister, Psyche. Their lives are drastically altered when Psyche is chosen as the bride of a mysterious, unseen god.

Orual, consumed by jealousy and a desperate need for her sister's love and attention, interprets Psyche's radiant beauty and subsequent mysterious marriage as a betrayal. She feels forsaken and increasingly resentful, particularly as Psyche’s life with the god (revealed later to be Eros/Cupid) appears blissful, even though filled with trials and tribulations set by Venus, the jealous goddess of love. Orual struggles with her feelings of inadequacy and her suspicion of the gods, which stems partially from her experiences with the ruthless Ungit. She views the gods as distant and indifferent to human suffering.

As Psyche undergoes a series of impossible tasks set by Venus, Orual's jealousy festers. She witnesses Psyche's unwavering faith and inner strength, qualities she believes she lacks. Driven by fear and selfish desire, Orual ultimately makes a fatal mistake that leads to Psyche's apparent death. The catastrophic consequences of Orual’s actions, however, also trigger a crucial turning point in her life.

In a pivotal scene, Orual confronts the true nature of the gods, finally understanding their seemingly cruel actions within a larger cosmic plan. Her initial anger and bitterness slowly transform into a reluctant acceptance of the divine mystery and the limitations of human understanding. This epiphany is spurred by her encounter with the god, who reveals the truth behind Psyche's suffering and her own part in it. The god's response to Orual's suffering and questioning moves beyond simplistic answers, highlighting the inexplicable nature of faith and divine justice.

The overarching themes of the novel revolve around the nature of love, jealousy, faith, and the limitations of human perception in the face of the divine. Orual's journey is one of self-discovery, marked by painful self-awareness and a gradual acceptance of the limitations of her own understanding. Ultimately, Till We Have Faces explores the challenging relationship between human experience and divine will, concluding with Orual's tentative step towards a deeper understanding of both herself and the unseen forces that shape her life. The title itself suggests that true understanding – a "face" to the divine – is only possible through profound suffering and a willingness to embrace the unknown.