Novel of Spiritual Education

The "Novel of Spiritual Education" is usually seen as a type of fantasy geared towards young adults. It is almost like instructions on how best to navigate the world. Some of these books are very opinionated and obvious in their design. 

C.S. Lewis's The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is a good example of this. The book clearly spells out belief in God "Aslan" as being integral to happiness or success in life. 






 But, just because the "Novel of Spiritual Education" has the word "spiritual" in it does not mean that this sub genre can only tout one viewpoint. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials book series conveys the opposite message through a humanist viewpoint.


The "Novel of Spiritual Education" may have its roots in Judeo-Christian beliefs, but it has evolved to encompass the author's personal values outside of a wider belief system.

The Harry Potter series promotes many "good" behaviors in its characters. It uses a pretty standard set of values that can cross many cultures. The battle is between good and evil, however the distinction of being either good or evil is grey for the characters. They are not perfect. While they may seem predominantly good or bad there are usually ulterior reasons behind why they choose to behave the way they do. This is true even for extremely dark or "evil" characters, like the Death Eaters. They make poor choices, sometimes purposefully to reach their goals. Usually, this results in negative consequences, but sometimes they get away with it. 
Ultimately this is a realistic and appealing view of the world. Everyone gets to where they are through a combination of the choices they make and the circumstances they find themselves in, but everyone dose have control over where they end up.



Required Book: 
The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern




In "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern the characters are faced with the decision to be selfish or risk their lives and their love to save all the people connected to the circus that were caught up in a "game" thrust upon them by two powerful men representing two schools of thought.

"The Night Circus" definitely teaches moral concepts and viewpoints, but it is not a book for children, which shows that the "Novel of Spiritual Education" is not just for kids. Also, the way that it approaches these topics is more "sideways". It is not in your face and lets the reader slowly discover the issues at hand. 

This book was probably the best book I've read in a long time. Its tangible sensory description, twisted plot, use of several points of view, and skewed sense of time, which makes complete sense if you read the book, are all enchanting. The circus and its characters seem very real in their internal and outward struggles. I did not want to put the book down and actually felt sad when it ended, because it is as the last line says, "You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream." 

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The two schools of thought are chaos and control. They are displayed in differing forms of magical ability. Chaos has more control over objects in the outside world and is extremely "hands on" when taught. Control is deft at influencing the mind of self and others and is learned through quiet study and practice. 

The teachers of these two forms choose two students to be taught and then bind them to play a dangerous game of magical, mental, and emotional endurance, where only one can survive. This game has been played repeatedly with different pupils over time and seems perpetual. 

In the book the Night Circus is the setting for the game. It is almost a force of nature the way it captures people's imagination and spirit.
Celia and Marco are the players. Each of them encounters the same complex moral issues and spiritual tests. 

They have been chosen and bound to play the game to the end before they could have a say in the matter, while not being told the dark truth of the game's solution. One of them must die. If the fact that they must kill each other or themselves to end the game is not complex enough, they fall in love before they know the truth. 

As the book progresses both characters come to the conclusion that they do not wish to play this "game" or war between their teachers. The situation forces them to act.  

Unwilling to kill each other or live without each other they are then confronted with another pressing issue, their playing board, the circus, has become an integral part of many peoples lives. The people that work there and the people that live for it, would be deprived of the one thing that makes their "soul sing". The circus is that important, however at the end of the game it would inevitably fall apart. This presses the characters to attempt saving it. 

Celia in particular is a huge support of the circus. Without her it would not exist. She attempts to secure the circus and the people connected to its future first, planning on killing herself afterward to end the game and save her love, Marco. But, she runs out of time. 

Marco is then pressed with making the decision of ending the game himself, which means his death. 

Both of these characters are met with the decision of "what would you die for?" They answer this question with, for each other and to save the palpable spiritual presence of the circus itself. 

Morally the characters must decide whether or not to be selfish when there are so many people that would be affected by their decision. Spiritually, they must accept their fate before they can change it. 

Ultimately they find a way to save each other and the circus, ending the game by combining the two schools of thought to create a new world in which they can find peace.

Required Movie:

Time Bandits (1981) director: Terry Gilliam

  
Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits, represents the child, Kevin, as being more morally correct than the surrounding adults, whether it is his parents or the dwarves he meets. The movie preaches several key concepts. The first one seen right away is that the love of the newest household gadgets over personal relationships with people (Like your family) is wrong. Living to compare yourself to other people is also wrong. The message may even be that people have lost the value of personal relationships because of the distraction modern conveniences offer. Being selfish and stealing is wrong. You should treat your friends with respect. There are more important things than money. Sticking together is a sure way to succeed...The list goes on.

Basically, this entire movie is a teaching tool and evokes the same qualities as the "Novel of Spiritual Education". It approaches these topics humorously. This means it can slyly slip in plenty of education, without the viewer getting tired of being "taught". Kevin, as a character who makes the best of his situations, is appealing and seems designed to draw younger viewers in. This completes the education by giving the young viewers someone to look up to, making the possibility of them applying what they learned from the movie higher.