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
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."
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.
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.
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