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mark12_30 · 11-24-2006, 08:44 PM

Long ago, in the midst of a contentious thread -- maybe it was canonicity-- a very wise mod once told me, "Take the eucatastrophe and run."

We can indeed discuss exhaustively what Tolkien MEANT or did not MEAN, or examine what might be specifically Catholic in his works, but I doubt we will ever come to an agreement on it.

IMO, he *meant* an eucatastrophe. At least one. Preferably one per thread of the tapestry. However, a eucatastrophe is beyond his own doing; by its very definition, it is a glimpse "beyond"-- one which the author has almost no control over. He can provide the painting of the tree, but he cannot provide the Beyond that will be seen thru the painting; his very goal is for the painting to be seen through. And for that to happen, the reader can't be tangled up in some allegorical "meaning". If he is so distracted from the secondary reality by the primary reality, he'll never get to the Beyond.

Now, where did I put that eucatastrophe? Ah, there it is; I'm off.

11-24-2006, 08:44 PM	#19
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Long ago, in the midst of a contentious thread -- maybe it was canonicity-- a very wise mod once told me, "Take the eucatastrophe and run." We can indeed discuss exhaustively what Tolkien MEANT or did not MEAN, or examine what might be specifically Catholic in his works, but I doubt we will ever come to an agreement on it. IMO, he meant an eucatastrophe. At least one. Preferably one per thread of the tapestry. However, a eucatastrophe is beyond his own doing; by its very definition, it is a glimpse "beyond"-- one which the author has almost no control over. He can provide the painting of the tree, but he cannot provide the Beyond that will be seen thru the painting; his very goal is for the painting to be seen through. And for that to happen, the reader can't be tangled up in some allegorical "meaning". If he is so distracted from the secondary reality by the primary reality, he'll never get to the Beyond. Now, where did I put that eucatastrophe? Ah, there it is; I'm off. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 11-25-2006 at 01:20 AM.