The Inner Ring

Once again Lewis sees a phenomenon, analyzes it and is able to relay the information he has gained  from reflection perfectly to  his readers, In order that they can also recognize problems in their lives, so they can work on improving themselves. This time the phenomenon Lewis is describing what he calls the inner ring. Now a days we call these things clicks, either way the concept of inner ring is universal  and timeless.  The concept is relatively simply in every group of friends there will always be the tendency to keep people out of the group . Also people on the outside of the group view the group differently than the people in the group.  In response to the morality of the inner circle, Lewis says that the inner circle itself is morally neutral but most times the way that people are excluded  from the group is wrong. Lewis says, “Of all the passions, the passion for the inner ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things.” From this, I think back to my early high school years when I was working at a greenhouse. There was always a group of older high school workers that I tried to be friends with. However, It took almost  a year before I became friends with them.  Over that time I did tons of things that made me look stupid so that I could be friends with them.  Of course I can look back now and see how foolish I was, also im sure that everyone is able to look back and find an example of the inner ring.

Another part of the inner ring that is discussed is how once you are in the inner circle you make it hard for others to enter. Lewis says “you will always find them hard to enter, for a reason you very well you know.  You yourself, once you are in, want to make it hard for the next entrant, just as those who are already in made it hard for you.” At the same greenhouse,  when I was a junior I gave the new kids a really hard time and kept them out of my inner circle.  Even though it seems innocent the subject of being either in or out of the inner ring can overtake people’s lives if they aren’t careful.

Lewis says that if inner ring starts become a major focus of one life than the way to break it is by, first realizing its existence. Then work instead of their gifts and personal qualities. The realization alone takes away some of the power of the circle. The rest of the power of circle can be taken away by doing your best because when your whole energy is placed in your gifts instead of circles than others will realize this and you will find new friends that value the same things you value.