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To: Corin Stormhands
There is no "Christ" figure in LOTR.

Actually there are three (at least) that I would consider "Christlike" figures. Did a research paper on it in college

I majored in languages (also during the 2nd Age) and noted the similarities between LOTR and the Nibelungenlied of which there are many. One could argue that LOTR is actually a retelling of the Nibelungenlied just like Wagner's cycle of operas because the stories parallel each other in many ways.

I'm not a Christian, so the "aspects of Christ" analogy is not so obvious to me. It's just that these same aspects (faces of G-D) can also be found in the OT, as well as (l'havdil from holy to profane) in pre-Christian pagan myth. It is not a "uniquely" Christian allegory.

25 posted on 12/19/2003 12:57:38 PM PST by Alouette ("Who is for the LORD, come with me!" -- Mattisyahu Ha-Cohen, father of Judah Maccabee)
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To: Alouette; JenB; Wneighbor; ksen
It's just that these same aspects (faces of G-D) can also be found in the OT.

The Old Testament, which is of course full of references to Christ. Tolkien drew from many influences. He acknowledged that. But to paraphrase him "I am a Christian, my writing will reflect that."

It is not allegory in the sense that The Chronicles of Narnia are Christian allegory. But it is undeniable that Tolkien's faith shines forth through his work.

27 posted on 12/19/2003 1:31:19 PM PST by Corin Stormhands (Proudly being a natural irritant since 1958.)
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