Even if the reader never encounters these as living philosophies, he will get some idea of their effect on Lewis and his generation. Finally John reaches the house of Wisdom, and from him he learns the inadequacy of many of the philosophies Lewis had found attractive at one time: Idealist Philosophy, Materialism, and Hegelianism. There he meets, amongst others, Mr Broad who represents 'a modernizing religion which is friends with the World and goes on no pilgrimage'. Finding he cannot get to the Main Road this way, John turns South. These men talk, Lewis explains in the running headlines to the book, as if 'they had 'seen through' things they have not even seen' (VI: 3). Turning North he meets 'cerebral' men such as Mr Sensible (cultured Worldliness), Mr Neo-Angular and Mr Humanist. But by 'Mother Kirk' Lewis really meant 'Traditional Christianity'. Because Catholics speak of the Catholic church as 'Mother Church', many assumed that Lewis was using the expression to mean the Catholic Church. John decides instead to go a long way around. She gives him an allegorical account of the Sin of Adam (the Grand Canyon), explaining that she is the only one who could carry him across the canyon safely. While wondering how to cross, John meets Mother Kirk (the Church). John is rescued by Reason, who leads him as far as the Grand Canyon, on the other side of which is the continuation of the Main Road. The Giant attempts to convince him that this is all that a man is. Thus his glance at John makes it possible for the young man to see his own insides (lungs, intestines, etc.). The Spirit of the Age is portrayed as a Giant whose eyes make everything he looks at transparent.

Those passages dealing with the Pilgrim's imprisonment (III:6-9) are some of the most astute in the book, and most likely to appeal to the modern reader. Eventually John is captured by the Spirit of the Age. They include such characters and experiences as Mr Enlightenment (Nineteenth-century Rationalism), the 'Modern' literary movement, and Freudianism.

Along the way he meets people who are allegorical personifications of ideas and schools of thought Lewis himself had encountered over the years. When this deception is unmasked he sets off again to find the Island. He makes his first mistake in supposing the Island to be a disguise for Lust. At the same time, the young man has visions of an Island, which is both the cause and the object of his intense longing, or 'Joy'. He grows up in fear of an unseen Landlord who is portrayed as a moral despot. Lewis: A Companion & Guide by Walter Hooper: The central character is a kind of 'Everyman' called John who is born on the western side of the Eastern Mountains in Puritania.

Mere christianity cliff notes