The Ring

Who of you would be interested in a discussion on the applicability of the symbolism in Tolkien's works?

Anybody?

It's about addiction isnt it, or perhaps the struggle of a hypothetical human fate to eventually move offworld to a Niven ring type structure!?

Not completely, Adder -- more the other way around. One can interpret the obsession brought on by possession of the ring and the power it conveyed as addiction, yet that is only one lens through which to look at addiction - generally before the physical aspects set in.

The Lord of the Rings has some very clever character and plot development which goes through the whole heroic cycle with all of the archetypes plainly interacting. The Hero, evidently, but the Call to Adventure to which the Hero is initially reluctant, the Mentor (most obviously Gandalf, but this rôle does shift around), the Threshold Guardians and the Shadow -- and so forth.

This discussion could serve as a valuable review of the Jungian/Campbellian archetypes of the heroic cycle ; I would suggest broadening it out to take in anything found in popular culture, from contemporary film to music videos. How can the elements of the hero's adventure be witnessed in the most ordinary of modern media ?

Connor,

The topic is already interesting. I think I may have the trilogy; although, I only read 20 to 30 pages.


I am interested in hearing what you are experiencing.

There is so much to LOTR that one can literally spend their career studying it.

There are creatures such as Tom Bombadil who was First for example.

There is also the massive patriarchy that exists pretty much everywhere too...

What I remember hearing is that Tolkien used a lot of Christian symbolism. For example, the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog. Tolkien's imagery is sort of typical to the common perception of what God and the Devil look like. Then when Gandalf is resurrected, it seems to be a parallel with Jesus.

I'm a fan. Fascinating, complex, thought provoking writing and to think it was done after hours in his spare time on a mechanical typewritter. Such a great mind he had. Tremendous commitment to his craft for so little reward. The man was far ahead of his time. I find him quite inspiring.

I just hit a blog on Tolkien that says he wanted to share lessons from Christianity but that he didn't want to be preachy like C.S. Lewis who also wanted to share lessons from Christianity.

Two fans, that I know, who love the trilogy happen to be atheist. They were drawn to Tolkien's writing style.

I sense, but could be wrong, that Tolkien may have a lot in common with Joseph Campbell in terms of the desire to share about human themes which just so happens to be prevalent in all major religions, theologies and philosophies.

Again, I really don't know about this particular work or Tolkien, but I do know a lot of creative writers. Once their writing matures and they mature as writers, if anyone gets anything out of their works, they are happy. In the end, they sure as heck had fun honoring their own creativity. (Money matters aside, of course).

Tolkien wrote about the themes of his book in letters to friends, family and fans.

In a nutshell they are antitheses, death and immortality, loss and farewell, power and temptation, addiction, technophobia, courage fate and free will, providence and Christ figures.

All great topics of conversation.

Thanks for the background Jayden.