Parallels with Christianity, and their effect on his work - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kaiserin · 08-16-2003, 04:07 AM

Just to clarify:

It's true that anyone and everyone can come up with endless symbols and analogies found in Tolkien's work. But anyway, let's focus on what the books convey about the writer, about his thought, his theology and philosophy, and how all this affected the literary content i.e. -

Tolkien's creation of Eru/Iluvatar reflects that he believes in a supreme, divine being from whom all originate (whether he is One God or many "gods" is irrelevant, as far as the books are concerned). Because of this Being, a concept of ultimate good was established in Tolkien's Ea. Now, with the existence of "good", its corruption is what is termed as "evil". With the existence of "good" and "evil" in Arda, there comes now a basis for a conflict and a very interesting plot...

The Valar and the Maiar are rather interesting. They could be likened to angels, "gods", demigods, whatever (Tolkien did not make any direct symbolism, so I personally don't think they are supposed to symbolize anything). Those Valar who still submit to the supremacy of Eru are those whom he uses to intervene in the lives of the mortals. This shows that the Creator of all keeps in touch and is still very involved with his creation - very much like Tolkien's God. Their presence in the stories provide a sense of the supernatural; elements of divine intervention and deux ex machina can then be present in the literature, without being "corny". Tolkien believed in a single God, Who has servants, and Who is very concerned with His creation, and intervenes in certain situations.

By the way - let's not pick on other people's philosophies and theologies here [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ]

08-16-2003, 04:07 AM	#8
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	Just to clarify: It's true that anyone and everyone can come up with endless symbols and analogies found in Tolkien's work. But anyway, let's focus on what the books convey about the writer, about his thought, his theology and philosophy, and how all this affected the literary content i.e. - Tolkien's creation of Eru/Iluvatar reflects that he believes in a supreme, divine being from whom all originate (whether he is One God or many "gods" is irrelevant, as far as the books are concerned). Because of this Being, a concept of ultimate good was established in Tolkien's Ea. Now, with the existence of "good", its corruption is what is termed as "evil". With the existence of "good" and "evil" in Arda, there comes now a basis for a conflict and a very interesting plot... The Valar and the Maiar are rather interesting. They could be likened to angels, "gods", demigods, whatever (Tolkien did not make any direct symbolism, so I personally don't think they are supposed to symbolize anything). Those Valar who still submit to the supremacy of Eru are those whom he uses to intervene in the lives of the mortals. This shows that the Creator of all keeps in touch and is still very involved with his creation - very much like Tolkien's God. Their presence in the stories provide a sense of the supernatural; elements of divine intervention and deux ex machina can then be present in the literature, without being "corny". Tolkien believed in a single God, Who has servants, and Who is very concerned with His creation, and intervenes in certain situations. By the way - let's not pick on other people's philosophies and theologies here [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: Kaiserin ] __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.