The Autobiographical Tolkien - 'Leaf by Niggle'...

[Bêthberry]

Just a thought here about aspects of the autobiographical interpretation, Estelyn. Is anything suggested by the fact that Smith's son does not inherit the star, particularly in terms of the role which Christopher played in publishing his father's work?

And if Smith is Tolkien, what does the loss of the star suggest? That Tolkien lost his imaginative involvement with Faery later in life? Was this the movement away from the poetry towards the theology which Christopher suggests?

Bethberry

Edit: As to your question of whether Faery and Faith can be united, I would agree with littlemanpoet that they can, although it is for him to say how closely my explanation here speaks to his. Both provide consolations, satisfactions which the limitations of this world cannot provide. Both speak of longing. I might even say that Tolkien 'justifies' his faith (using that word as Milton does) by story.