This week I'd like to do something a little different then my regular routine of reflecting on the Sunday readings. Just a few days ago I entered into a good conversation with a friend concerning J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Many of you are most likely familiar with these books or at least have seen the movies. Doing a little research on the books one soon discovers that it is the 3rd most printed\sold book\s of the 20th century, behind the Qur'an and the Bible. The book\s have had such a huge impact because they in a very creative way tell a parallel story of the human journey and more importantly a history of salvation.
If one were to read "The Lord of the Rings' or watch the movies one would not understand everything since Tolkien wrote an entire historical back drop to the books, which today can be found in "The Unfinished Tales," and "The Silmarillion." Though this should not give one pause to read the books or watch the movie, one will understand enough without the back drop, but in case you become interested there are backdrop stories available.
Getting to the point there were two scenes in the book that my friend and I discussed. The first one was when Gandalf confronted the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-dum. Gandald stands up to the demon of Morgoth and seemingly defeats him. While on the bridge Gandalf strikes the bridge making it collapse. The demon goes down with it. Gandalf then turns to rejoin his companions and the moment that he does such the demon sends up his whip and snatches Gandalf by the leg and sends him hurtling down into the great chasm below.
Why did Tolkien insert this into the story, was it simply to provide more action, more intrigue, or suspense? Yes to all of them, but more importantly I believe he was making a statement about vigilance. Just when we believe that we have defeated evil is when evil will catch us off guards. One must remain ever diligent in virtue, being on guard vs. vice. If we turn around too soon or forget it, that is when the whip snatches us and pulls us into the chasm of darkness and emptiness. Tolkien's point is subtle because we can miss it due to the action and suspense. However, the symbolism of virtue and religion in that scene is well done, much like a bible story.
Another scene we discussed was when Gollum ripped the ring off of Frodo's finger at the edge of Mt. Doom. He begins to dance near the edge in his jubilation of finally getting the ring back. In doing so he comes too close to edge and slips into the molten lava below. Even as he begins to sink into the lava he has no regard for himself, but rather does all he can to save the ring, eventually both sink and are melted away. Mordor and Mt. Doom are symbolic of hell and evil. Mordor = Murder, Mt. Doom = hell, this can be deduced symbolically from the imagery and language used by Tolkien to describe this desolate, dark, and lifeless land. But more importantly to our point is that Gollum entered into this hell, God did not force him to go. This speaks to my point from last week's reflection on Heaven and Hell. Gollum was so given to the ring and the evil that it held that he would rather see the ring survive even while his body burned, the same could be said for those who sentence themselves to an eternity in hell. God does not send anyone (even Gollum) to hell, rather people, if they choose to do so, go there of their own accord.
The greatest point of Tolkien's story is the ending, the redemption if you will. After the long struggle of carrying the cross, of so much loss, end unbelievable endurance of those committed to the struggle of good vs. evil finally prevail. Everything is made new again, the world lives in peace and undergoes a transformation, not much different then Jesus defeating evil and making all things new.
Enough of me, do yourself a favor if you have not read or seen "The Lord of the Rings," get moving, you will not be disappointed.
Fr. John
image taken from fanpop.com
No comments:
Post a Comment