The Inner Ring

The first thing C.S. Lewis does in “The Inner Ring” is quote a paragraph from War and Peace. In the excerpt, Tolstoy introduces us to an old general, Prince Andrey the captain, and Boris the second lieutenant. Andrey and the general are speaking in a room, but when Boris walks in, Andrey ignores military protocol to address him, thereby ignoring his superior. The “unwritten system”, as Tolstoy calls it, between Andrey and Boris, trumps the “official system”. Lewis calls these unwritten systems “Inner Rings”.

Lewis says a few very interesting things about Inner Rings, or as we might call them, cliques. One point I found insightful is how, from the inside, they are seen merely as friendships. If a member of an Inner Ring is talking about those in the Ring, he will say “us” or “the guys” or even “everyone”. However, from the outside, it is quite different: the outsider might say “those guys” or “Fred and his people” or “that clique”. Obviously, it seems much more exclusive to the outsider. Another thoughtful point Lewis makes is how an Inner Ring is always more attractive from the outside. It’s like the adage “The grass is always greener on the other side.” Once you are in, the novelty soon fades, and you will shortly spy a different Ring you want to be a part of. An Inner Ring doesn’t satisfy if your goal is only to get into it. A final point Lewis makes that I like is how an Inner Ring isn’t evil. In fact some Inner Rings, like family or friendships, are quite good. What makes an Inner Ring bad is your motive for wanting in. If you want in for the sake of being in, it won’t be a good experience. However, if you want to be genuine friends with those in the Ring, there is no reason the Ring would be bad. What we must remember, though, is to avoid treating outsiders like outsiders. Even to those not in our Inner Rings, we must show Christ’s love and hospitality.