Comments on: No Symbolism To See Here; Move Along

By: theomorph

theomorph — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Anybody who sees the Lord of the Rings as an example of secularism or materialism is clearly either (a) out of his mind or (b) lying about having read the books.

Personally, I am one of the six people who isn't all that impressed with the Lord of the Rings. I love reading the books–the language is beautiful, and the experience of reading it is great fun in the moment–but stepping back and looking at the big picture, the whole Good versus Evil thing makes a dull thud to my mind. So does the anti-technology bent. I.e., I think Tolkien was a great writer but not a very good philosopher.

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Furthermore, the representation of it as a catholic story entirely forgets the factor of Tolkiens experiences in the Great War, which is something he stresses.

By: Steve N

Steve N — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I can't believe it's taking me this long to spot this!!!

... to inform Mr. Mastroianni of the humerous irony of his statements.

So, Funky, what kind of irony is that? The irony that hits right in the upper arm?? :-O

Cheers!

By: Donna Marie Lewis

Donna Marie Lewis — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I commented directly on the article…but I don't know how to copy text from a box with no toolbar at the top….

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

It's worth noting that Tolkien himself stressed that he did not intend the books to be allegorical.

As a good support for this lack of intent, you can just as readily interpret the book as a call for Aryan supermen to drive out the mongrels and the jews (which is certainly not what he meant, but which fits the story as well as the bible does).

By: Jerry Nora

Jerry Nora — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

John, an allegory is a story with a one-to-one symbolism, where each element stands for some concept. That is hardly the only form of symbolic story telling: Jesus did not tell many allegories, but his parables were not meant to be taken literally!

By: Trotski

Trotski — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Let's see…

Men of Numenor … line of Elendil … *blessed* by the *Valar* (subgods) with long life, great strength of body and will. Yeah, it is easy to be a self-made hero when you have the grace of those who did that whole making-the-universe-thing behind you.

I'd call that a mystical religious power…

By: Funky Dung

Funky Dung — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Not being allegorical is not remotely the same as not having thoroughly Catholic content. I'm sure Donna could easily furnish us with a plethora of quotes from the good professor to that effect.

By: Jerry Nora

Jerry Nora — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Something also evident from Tolkien's other writings and biographies is that he worked hard to make it a very Catholic story.

Perhaps Quenta Narwenion would be of service enlightening us here?

By: Funky Dung

Funky Dung — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Steve, I've read and heard from numerous sources that TLotR was intentionally a thoroughly Catholic story. It is not an allegory, but it contains a lot of symbolism and representations of a Catholic worldview. For Mr. M to imply that TLotR is a suitable escape from religiousity is rather humerous.