The nature of mercy in Professor Tolkien's work reminds me of the role it plays in Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita which itself links back to good old Faustus. *wink wink*
The climax of Bulgakov's novel largely depended upon a single act of mercy, just as, to a certain extent, did the LotR.
And while mercy has never been trademarked by Christianity, it's presence, to me, is of the highest importance in two of my favorite books (LotR & Margarita) that deal with the re-telling of certain Christian themes.
A bit off the original topic, I fear. Back to your regularly scheduled posting now.
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~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
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