Tolkien's Catholic Imagination

Inside Catholic ^ | July 1, 2010 | Jason Boffetti

[little jeremiah]

The crystal vial with the Light of Galadriel which was to be light to show the way, when all other lights go out - reminds me of God’s voice in the heart, which often most people finally turn to when in despair, loneliness or confusion.

That Light never goes out.

I love LOTR. Read it many times as a teenager.

[vladimir998]

I’ve read some of Lewis and Tolkien. Quite frankly - when it comes to fiction - Tolkien was a much better author.

[HarleyD]

Even the One Ring, forged by the magical art of Sauron, is never actually characterized as evil in itself. Rather, its power to command the Ringwraiths and the invisibility it confers are regarded as temptations that make the ring too dangerous for it to be used appropriately.

For one who loves the Lord of the Ring trilogy and have read the books, this is simply not true. As Gandalf the Grey stated, "The Ring is altogether evil." It is the reason the Fellowship cannot use the Ring and must be casted into the fires of Mt. Doom.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring

I am baffled that Catholics seem to want to do away with the concept of "evil".

[Hank Kerchief]

“Quite frankly - when it comes to fiction - Tolkien was a much better author.”

Could be. I read little fiction, except the classics, and am selective about them too. I’ve read most of Dostoevsky, all of Hugo, for example. Liked some of Hemingway’s early fiction, but not so much his later novels. I just do not like Tolkien. There is something “dark” about his writing, while I find Lewis always refreshing, with perhaps the exception of “That Hideous Strength,” and, “The Screwtape Letters.”

On what do you base your opinion that Tolkien is the better author. Is it objective, or just a personal opinion? Just curious.

Hank

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“There is something “dark” about his writing, while I find Lewis always refreshing, with perhaps the exception of “That Hideous Strength,” and, “The Screwtape Letters.””

I agree that That Hideous Strength is dark, but I always found The Screwtape Letters rather “light” - even though it is about demons and temptation.

“On what do you base your opinion that Tolkien is the better author. Is it objective, or just a personal opinion? Just curious.”

I think - when it came to fiction - Tolkien was a more able, more sophisticated author. Lewis was effective, but I don’t think he was evocative or able to build a complex story like Tolkien. Lewis went, generally, for obvious allegorical fairy tales while Tolkien built an entire other world.

Both were great writers. Lewis was especially good at turning a phrase. Mind you, Lewis - when it comes to turning a phrase - is a distant second to GK Chesteron!

Hank

[Hank Kerchief]

Yes, “The Scrwtape Letters,” were “light” fare, but I only mentioned them as perhaps less “uplifting” then other works by Lewis.

Don’t think I know Chesterton well enough to compare him with Lewis, or vice-versa. Do enjoy Chesterton though.

You may be right about Tolkien’s ability with plots. I frankly do not know.

Getting a little hard to concentrate here, lots of fireworks. Hope you enjoy your Fourth.

Hank

[vladimir998]

Thanks , I hope you enjoy yours.

[Melian]

Love it! (says Melian, a Maia and mother of the grey elves, who dwells in Lorien and tends her garden; beautiful and wise, nightingales sing wherever she goes.)

One of my favorite LOTR quotes: “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” LOL!

[Melian]

Samwise tells us all we need to know about being a hero.

[Scotswife]

oh wow!

By sheer coinkydink - my 9 yr. old son was watching Return of the King today and we had a long discussion about Samwise - his loyalty, bravery, and perseverence even when he’s wrongly accused and rejected.

LOVE Samwise!

[Melian]

I try to read the books once a year and I always cry over Sam’s dedication and selflessness. Theoden and Eomer really touch my heart too. They are more manly and realistic versions of Sam. It wrings my heart when they decide to ride to their deaths for the sake of friendship and honor.

Love these books! If your son likes them, he’s on the right track. I laugh out loud every time I read Gandalf saying he doesn’t “like the smell of the left way.”

[SuziQ]

I am baffled that Catholics seem to want to do away with the concept of "evil".

Only liberal Catholics who have latched onto the 'conscience as king' attitudes, with their desires taking the place of an informed conscience.

[NucSubs]

Could you elaborate on that?

[Hank Kerchief]

“Could you elaborate on that?”

I would if I could, but it’s just an impression. The best I can do is to put it another way. I find Lewis to be light, as in uplifting and inspiring, but I find Tolkien dark, and depressing.

It’s not a criticism of Tolkien, because obvious many people enjoy him. Perhaps its more of a confession about myself.

Hank

[the invisib1e hand]

Without a father's income, however, the task of educating her sons would take some doing because the best schools charged tuition. Also, her decision to become Catholic estranged her from most of her family, who withdrew their financial support. So Mabel did what any resourceful woman with a fine middle-class education would do: She home-schooled her sons until they could pass the entrance exams and receive scholarships at a good private school.

Now, of course, that would probably be against the law.