"Christian" Myth at the Multiplex

The Wall Street Journal ^ | December 6, 2002 | John J. Miller

[BaghdadBarney]

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Myth at the Multiplex Tolkien poured Christian values into a pagan world.

BY JOHN J. MILLER Friday, December 6, 2002 12:01 a.m.

The movie version of "The Two Towers" opens on Dec. 18, the second installment in what is already a blockbuster J.R.R. Tolkien film trilogy. The new movie begins (at least it did at a recent screening) by replaying part of a scene from last year's "The Fellowship of the Ring." As his companions flee, the good wizard Gandalf turns to face the demonic Balrog and yells: "You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire!" The line about the Secret Fire is a curious one. Gandalf certainly speaks it in Tolkien's novel, but its real meaning is never made clear on the book's pages, and certainly not on screen. That would seem to make it a prime candidate for the cutting-room floor, since director Peter Jackson must delete all kinds of material to cram Tolkien's epic into a few hours of film.

Yet the line is there--as it should be. As Bradley J. Birzer explains in "J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth" (ISI Books), it is "the most important religious statement in the book." The Secret Fire, Tolkien once told a friend, is really the Holy Spirit.

[HairOfTheDog]

The most clear description I have seen of Tolkien's views on how the meaning of the story should be applied is in the preface to the Lord of The Rings:

Other arrangements could be devised according to the tastes or views of those who like allegory or topical reference. But I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history, true or feigned, with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers. I think that many confuse 'applicability' with 'allegory'; but the one resides in the freedom of the reader, and the other in the purposed domination of the author.

-JRR Tolkien

So it my mind, made clear by that last sentence, he certainly knew people would make comparisons and allegories to their own experience, and that is what he wanted to happen. He, however, did not want to demand that all interpretations match his own by creating outright allegory. He thought that to be heavy handed by an author.

[CyberCowboy777]

Good quote and point.

Thanks

[coydog]

You don't even want to know about Meet the Feebles. Or do you?

[Skywalk]

*dons nerd goggles*

Actually, Near Haradrim were Arabic-seeming in appearance and garb, whereas the Far Haradrim were described as having black skin, large and with bright pink tongues, etc. This sounds more like the phenotype of an African Bantu(what we think of as black)

[John Farson]

---

"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the Imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism."
--J.R.R. Tolkien,
Letter #142
to Fr. Robert Murray, (December 2, 1953)

---

[weegee]

In Dead Alive (aka Brain Dead), a minister takes on a trio of zombie punks in a grave yard and exhibits a display of kung fu. He declares, "I kick ass for the Lord." The line gets a positive reaction from audiences.

[weegee]

He took on Salome in Forgotten Silver.

[JenB]

I didn't really know there was that much uncertainty as to what was meant by that line...

I thought it referred to his Ring of Power, Narya, Ring of Fire

Well, but that wouldn't make him a servant of the secret fire. Wielder, yes, but not servant...

[HairOfTheDog]

OK - So what does it mean then? :~D

[SkyPilot]

*dons nerd goggles*
Actually, Near Haradrim were Arabic-seeming in appearance

HA! Hey--thanks. Absolutely correct. I had to laugh at your "nerd goggles" quip. Since this is a thread about Tolkien, its altogether fitting that we are accurate to his work and facts--so thanks.

The "nerd" suggestion is funny, because I used to fly with a guy who was really "into" Star Trek. He drove my flight engineer and me crazy, talking about it all the time and saying things in the Klingon language. Some Tolkien fans are no doubt obsessed--however, in this case I find the discussion fascinating. First, there are cultural and philosophical underpinnings towards Tolkien’s work that are quite topical for today. The news is filled with "East vs. West" and "Islam vs. Judeo-Christian" competing worldviews. When I find the PC critics coming after Tolkien, it solidifies my view that there really is a culture war going on.

[SkyPilot]

....but the greater part of Melkor's evil was driven by a desire to posess the fire and make creations of his own. Ultimately he could only twist and pervert what others made. Interesting parallel to the desire and actions of Satan.

That is a great observation.

[Skywalk]

one thing that sets Tolkien apart from Star Trek is the rich complexity of themes, characters, etc and ad infinitum. Klingon simply has not the beauty or true linguistic background of Sindarin or Noldorin Elven tongues, nor does Star Trek(which I still like, though I prefer Next Gen and the Classic Cast) compare with the depth of Middle-earth.

But, I guess many would still look at certain discussions and exclaim "nerds!" Which is fine by me.

As for the East-West aspect, I used to have a problem with the human allies of Sauron, but it makes sense that Men outside that geographical location would be different racially. I think actually, this shows Tolkien wanted to include other groups, it's just that most of them were under Sauron's sway, though not necessarily evil themselves.