Postby juvey » Sun Nov 14, 2004 11:25 am
This may be a few days late, but I think it is relevant. As many have said, it is true that Tolkien did not set out to write an allegory, but his Christian mindset permeated his works.
That said, I'd like to try and point out a few things. I don't know how many of you have only seen the movies, read the books, read the books and the Silmarillion, or read the books, the Silmarillion, the Unfinished Tales, the Letters, and the History of Middle Earth series. I'm one of the later people (save a few of the 12 History books).
Tolkien created a fantasy world. In his world, there was one all powerful being named Iluvatar. This being created other beings lower than himself, but still with 'powers' above those of us humans. One of those beings fell, and others followed him. Iluvatar created the world, and let some of the beings go into it to watch over it for the coming of his 'children', Elves and Men. Accompanying those beings, the Valar and Maiar, was Morgoth (the fallen one) and his followers, evil Maiar, Balrogs. Gandalf is one of the Maiar, and as such has 'powers' that Men do not have to affect the physical world.
The Elves appeared first. They are Iluvatar's oldest children, and they are more 'in touch' with the Valar, Maiar, and physical world than the Men. In fact, their very beings are tied to the world. When their bodies are destroyed, they do not leave the world, but gather in waiting halls for the end of the world, when Iluvatar will then reveal what their destinies are. Unless some physical harm comes upon the Elves, their bodies will not grow old and die.
Men are not like that. Iluvatar gave them a 'gift', and that is death. It is so that they do not grow weary with the world, as the Elves do. Death was originally a good thing; they would die and then their spirits would pass out of the world and join Iluvatar. However, Morgoth cast a shadow of fear upon death, and the Men, choosing to follow him in their infancy, fell and have been covered with a desire to search for immortality ever since.
The other beings in Tolkien's works, such as Ents and Dwarves, were created with Iluvatar's permission by the Valar. Orcs were twisted from Elves by Morgoth. Hobbits are descended, most believe, from Men.
All of that background is to say that Tolkien clearly was not making an exact Biblical allegory. However, it is clear that there is definite, unarguable Good in his world, and definite, unarguable Bad. That good is always right, and bad always wrong, should be enough to guide people as to if this book follows Christian morals or not. Being fantasy, it is automatically out of the Biblical range. The Bible says nothing about Ents, or Dwarves, or Elves, or anything like that. That Tolkien's works include creatures that are not human may turn people off. If one can accept that they are in his works, then I don't see why one cannot accept that they have powers that humans don't have. The basic underlying message of the story is not 'this symbolizes that, etc.', but Good and Bad battle, and Good triumphs.
I realize that was rambling, but I hope it is of some help. ^^
[color="gray"]I cried out, "I'm slipping!" and your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. -Psalm 94:18-19[/color]
I think UC's understanding of LOTR is far beyond anyone else's in this thread.
I think the main theme is good vs. evil, though, and the means with which this battle is fought is the problem for some readers. ^^