Kierra Gilbert

Published in 1955 by C.S Lewis, Surprise by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life is partially an autobiography that describes the author’s adaptation to Christianity that took place about 24 years prior. The novel includes unspecified sources, allusions, and literal quotations. Lewis’ main purpose in writing was at first not historical nor ideological. The book overall, holds fewer details concerning specific events than a distinctive autobiography, however it is not lacking in information about his life. Lewis relives the moments of his early years that measure the amusement that is equally mixed with pain. Lewis eventually discovers the true meaning of what Joy is, and along the way finds the purpose and its impact in his life.

Surprise by Joy is somewhat an allusion to William Wordsworth’s poem, “Impatient As the Wind.” Wordsworth, one of the most known British novelists, confined this poem, which interprets pain and joy, in compassionate words that gained the emotions of many booklovers. He was experiencing with a lot of immense pain when writing this poem, dealing with painful occurrences in his time, the name of this poem is very fitting. Wordsworth himself was surprised when he experienced the feeling of joy during his time of grief. This poem can express feelings for those who have lost something very important to them and of those who have had moments where joy swept over them when dealing with grief. Each line resonates with those who have suffered loss, and they offer comfort and healing, as many of Wordswort poems do.

Line One

Surprised by Joy- Impatient as the Wind-

The speaker realizes that when he is taken aback by the feeling of joy that overwhelms him, he becomes “impatient as the wind” and is excited to spread and share with someone the immense feeling of happiness before it vanishes like a haze among all of his grief.

Lines Two-Three

I turned to share the transport- Oh! With whom
But Thee, long buried in the silent Tomb

Here Wordsworth tries to turn to someone to share this joy with, but in one terrifying moment he realizes that the person that he wants to share this feeling of joy with is the same person whose death has caused him undefeatable pain. For that reason, he turns to share his happiness with someone and cries out “Be Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb”. Many believe that “Thee” is referring to his daughter, Catherine, who has passed away. Another possible person who the speaker could be referring to as “Thee” could be Wordsworth’s son who passed away not too long after Catherine did. However, the one whom he wants to share his joy with is “buried deep in the silent tomb,” and is not able to share his joy.

Lines Four-Six

That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind-
But how could I forget thee? -Through what power,

That speaker gives off the impression that no matter what happens it will not change the fact that his loved one is buried in the grave. He states that his desire has brought back memories of his loved one to his mind and he asks himself this question, “but how could I forget thee?”. Being caught up in his moment of happiness and joy, he turns to share the moment but realizes he has forgotten the death. He wonders to himself about how could he have forget something that caused him so much grief and agony. He also thinks to himself how can he enjoy moments like this again, even if the moment lasted only a few seconds. He tries to recall the moments of his loved one in his memories to savor the moment.

Line Seven-Eight

Even for the least division of an hour, Have I been so beguiled as to be blind

The speaker continues to question his actions of he could forget about the loss, even for a few minutes. He is curious of how he could have been “beguiled;” that it was possible to be so consumed by joy and to forget his “significant loss”.

Line Nine-Ten

 To my most grievous loss!- That thought’s return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,

When the awareness of the loss he is experiencing comes back, the speaker feels the same sorrow he felt when he first heard the news about the death. He states that having to relive the feelings of the death once more, after forgetting it for a moment, “was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore”.

Line Eleven-Twelve

Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more;

After describing the moments of reliving the loss the first time, he clarifies that he has had only experienced a more painful moment, and this was when he heard about the death firsthand. The feeling that came over him when he “stood forlorn, knowing his heart’s best treasure was no more”.

Line Thirteen-Fourteen

At this moment the speaker comes to realization that nothing, not power, not money, nor tears will bring his most loved one back to him. The overall poem can make the reader feel Experiencing the same pain for the second time can be absolute torture. And in this case, this is what the author is experiencing.