In That Hideous Strength, Chapter 2 pages 40-43 provide a perplexing view of the issues with Man gaining too much control, which will ultimately lead to destruction and an unending desire for more. In this conversation between Feverstone and Mark, Lewis shows the determination and longing for power through the language of the two characters. Feverstone begins his discussion of power and NICE by talking about the “problems” in their society, and the need to use controlling power to fix them. This is shown when Mark brings up his important third point and says, ‘“The third problem is Man himself”. “Go on. This interests me very much”. “Man has got to take charge of Man. That means, remember, that some men have got to take charge of the rest- which is another reason for cashing in on it as soon as one can. You and I want to be the people who do the taking charge, not the ones who are taken charge of. Quite”’ (Lewis 40). Through this example, it is evident how passionate Feverstone is about Man gaining power, as well as the interest that Mark has in this elaborate plan of Feverstone. Through Feverstone’s powerful tone, Lewis demonstrates how Feverstone is attempting to convince and persuade Mark into believing that men must control other men and the importance of it.
Continuing on from Feverstone’s “third problem”, Mark responds by asking, “What sort of thing have you in mind?”, in which Feverstone answers, “Quite simple and obvious things, at first- sterilization of the unfit liquidation of backward races (we don’t want any dead weights), selective breeding. Then real education, including prenatal education. By real education I mean one that has no ‘take-it-or-leave it’ nonsense. A real education makes the patient what it wants infallibly: whatever he or his parents try to do about it” (Lewis 40). Here, Lewis incorporates ideas of totalitarianism as Feverstone discusses the amount of control that he has in mind for his plan, through his methods of manipulation, control, selective breeding, and education.
Additionally, Feverstone discusses his plan and how it relates to Mark, which exemplifies the persuasion and manipulation technique that Feverstone uses. This is displayed when Lewis writes, ‘“Of course, it’ll have to be mainly psychological at first. But we;ll get on to biochemical conditioning in the end and direct manipulation of the brain…” “But this is stupendous, Feverstone”. “It’s the real thing at last. A new type of man: and it’s people like you who’ve got to begin to make him”’(Lewis 40). Feverstone states a significant point as he mentions Mark helping create “a new type of man”, which portrays the control and power that Feverstone is enabling over Mark, even though Mark believes Feverstone is helping him.
Furthermore, Lewis displays elements from Abolition of Man in this segment of That Hideous Strength, as he brings in ideas of corruption, government control over everything, manipulation, propaganda and Man’s endless desire to rule over others. This is shown when Feverstone expresses, “For instance, if it were even whispered that the NICE wanted powers to experiment on criminals, you’d have all the old women of both sexes up in arms and yapping about humanity” (Lewis 41). Here, Lewis shows the elements of control and the Nature of Man, which is described in Abolition of Man. Feverstone recognizes the flaws and wrongness in his plan, however, he does not care which demonstrates how Man will go beyond limits to gain power and succeed. This exemplifies the idea that power will take over one’s mind, leaving them to only care about control over others in order to satisfy themself.