Yes-- Smith goes off into Faeryland over and over again and comes back glassy-eyed to his wife and kids, and wishes he could only explain... Dances with the queen? Meets the king? The king is the baker all along? If one guesses that the queen might relate to the VIrgin Mary and the king might relate to Jesus (I didn't say allegory, I said RELATE) then the implications are fascinating.
What was Edith's church life like...? From the letters, I know his sons eventually went deep with God, at least, I think so, but if there are letters about Edith's relationship with God I haven't run across them yet. What does the biography say, anything?
Anyway, I agree, Estelyn, I would like to discuss Smith, (or at least see him discussed) in light of Tolkien's life-- that is, once I finish digesting it a bit more! I mentioned it in the eucatastrophe thread-- man, did I get zapped. What an incredible short story.
Thanks for bringing up Smith...
--Helen
[ August 17, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]
__________________
...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.
|