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Leadership U. Special Focus: Lord of the Rings: True Mythology
Lord of the Rings:
True Mythology
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien has inspired more
commentary, creativity and following than arguably any other modern-day
work of art or literature. Surprisingly, it has also been interpreted
by--and, thus, embraced by--the adherents of such wildly divergent
philosophies as neopagans and evangelical Christians. Just what is it about
these mystical, mythical and monumental books that spurs whole communities
of devotees to create Web sites, Internet browsers, countless graphics,
fonts and articles, take on the nomenclature and Tolkien-created languages
for their own use and wait in panting anticipation for the celluloid
interpretation of their beloved epic?
In this collection of resources, we explore the meanings of the
mythology--myth, Tolkien argued, is not by necessity false--as they stem
from the author's past, pain and a deep-seated Catholic faith. A master of
languages who saw language as intrinsically creative (not simply useful to
label reality but to imbue it), Tolkien's created universe and tongues
stand alone in the history of literature. Many critics have scorned the
trilogy as mere escapism, but Tolkien saw it as discovered reality, that
his mythmaking was an attempt to uncover what is real in the clearest way
possible: "true myth." (This idea profoundly affected his close comrade
C.S. Lewis and his decision of faith in Christ). Biblical imagery, many
claim, abounds within the tales--which actually contain no explicit mention
of God, Christ or worship.
This seeming ambiguity has left much room for neopagans and others to point
out the abundance of gods, spirits, sprites and other mythical and pagan
characters in the text. Many in this camp claim as much prominence for
their worldview regarding Lord of the Rings as do Christians. We explore
the books and author, as well as his worldview with mentions of the movie
and related topics in our Special Focus, which we hope you enjoy and share
with others.
—Byron Barlowe, Editor/Webmaster, Leadership University
Feature Articles:
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: A Book for Our Time of Terror
Professor Ralph Wood
Dr. Wood, a literary expert on Tolkien, briefly outlines a lecture he gave
to Logos Academy in Dallas, Texas. Although very terse, these notes offer
deep insight to readers of the trilogy in their present form. Plans call
for the audio copy of this lecture to be online at LeadershipU soon.
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: A Christian Classic Revisited
Professor Ralph Wood
Professor Ralph Wood's passion for The Lord of the Rings shines through
this insightful examination of the fantasy epic's meaning and importance.
He is amazed that, in a day of passive entertainment, this complex book
that spans from time immemorial to the end of the world, remains so
popular. Perhaps, he seems to say, readers are grasping at something
eternal, transcendent. A sample: "Tolkien's work is imbued with a deep
mystical sense of life as a journey or quest that carries one, willy-nilly,
beyond the walls of the world. To get out of bed, to answer the phone, to
open the door, to fetch the mail--such everyday deeds are freighted with
eternal consequence. They immerse us in the river of time: the
'ever-rolling stream'."
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
Professor Ralph Wood
Tolkien expert Ralph Wood deeply examines the life of the great author and
linguist from his youth, through early manhood and into the "mature years."
A picture emerges of a sad, but affable man, brilliantly gifted in language
and resolute in his faith.
J.R.R. Tolkien's Take on the Truth
ZENIT interview with Author Joseph Pearce on "Lord of the Rings"
Interview with Joseph Pearce, author of 'Tolkien: Man and Myth" and
"Tolkien: A Celebration." Discusses Tolkien's Lord of the Rings regarding
pagan issues, whether there is any danger to children in its content, the
author's intentions, values it offers and what the trilogy may teach us
about today's mass media.
Tolkien's Cosmogony
Professor Ralph Wood
Intimately familiar with Tolkien's views and imaginative creations, Dr.
Wood lays out his cosmogony, i.e., his account of God and the divine powers
and the world's creation. This defines the hierarchy of characters in the
Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Book Review: A Question of Time: J.R.R. Tolkien's Road to Faërie
Professor Ralph Wood
Professor Ralph Wood reviews the book, A Question of Time: J.R.R.
Tolkien's Road to Faërie by Verlyn Flieger. He concludes that, "Flieger is
right to contend that Tolkien shared their neo-gnostic critique of our
century's decadent and violent materialism. Yet she fails to see that
Tolkien also resists what is spurious in the attempt to have God without
incarnation or cross or resurrection-in short, to have God without God."
Related Articles and Reviews:
God, man, hobbits & Tolkien
Terry Mattingly
Tolkien saw himself as a subcreator, his created world of Middle Earth a
mere copy of a pre-Christian reality. In fact, his avoidance of explicit
religious practice sprang from a conscious effort to stay doctrinally true
to his Catholic Christian beliefs. The movie inspired by the epic may not
be so true to the author's intent, that is, the True Myth Tolkien attempted
to create may not resemble the film version.
Tolkien's Impact in Literature and Life
Patrick W. Curles
Tolkien saw himself as a hobbit in every way but in stature.
Get A Myth: Inventing Stories To Live By
Charles Colson
Cultural commentator and author Colson sensed a resurgence of the myth in
society when, among other things, the film The Highlander was released.
Myth and fantasy, properly used as by Tolkien, Lewis and others, can help
us all--especially kids--understand truth and aspire to ideals communicated
by story.
Tolkien: the movie
Roy Maynard
Berger, Director of the Institute for the Study of Economic Culture at
Boston University, draws from "pre-1960s sociology" to question the
legitimacy of our present academic understanding of "class." After
commenting on sister concepts "race" and "gender," he maintains that the
class system leaves more room for achievement and social mobility--a
mainstay of capitalism--than do ascribed systems, in which "the game [of
social ordering] was essentially fixed at birth." The class system, he
maintains, is the least distasteful of our imperfect choices.
C. S. Lewis in the Public Square
Richard John Neuhaus
Neuhaus remarks on the societal implications of the thought of C. S. Lewis,
whose soul-kinship with Tolkien greatly affected his thought, in turn.
Other Sites and Resources:
Official Site for Lord of the Rings Film
The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum
Christianity, Paganism and Literature
Steve Hayes
Discusses Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams--the Inklings--and their
remythologizing influence during a time when Christians in some circles
sought to demythologize Christianity and the Bible. He draws on what he
sees as common ground between neo-pagans and Christians that foster
popularity in both camps of Tolkien's trilogy, although he fails to
explicate this common ground here.
The book of the century
Andrew O'Hehir
Although its popularity is unparalleled, intellectuals dismiss "The Lord of
the Rings" as boyish fantasy. Now one scholar defends J.R.R. Tolkien's
"true myth" as a modern masterpiece. First of two parts. Philology, the
study of languages and their development, is discussed.
on this special focus.
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