Posted on 12/17/2007 11:09:50 AM PST by Greg F
I watched the movie versions of Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" over the last three days and tried to sort out the symbolism in Christian terms. Here's what I came up with, would love the insights of any regarding.
Hobbits: Your home and hearth Christians. Humble and happy, not seeking power and acclaim to the same extent as others, perhaps, and content with small things.
Elves: Angels. They are superhuman in their understanding and abilities and they can choose to leave middle earth unlike the other races.
Orcs: Demons. They are a race of elves abused, corrupted and changed by Sauron.
Men: Men.
Dwarves: ?
Sauron: Satan.
Gandolf: The Holy Spirit (?). Gandolf can be seen as a Christ figure, but most often he is advising men, hobbits and elves, and acting through them. That said, he does act directly as well, and at the end of the movie he sails away with the elves (does this end correspond to the book?). If he were a Christ figure I think his actions would be much more definitive. He would be the actor that saves and no army would stand before him.
The Ghost Army: Tolkien was a Catholic. Souls in purgatory given a chance at redemption.
The Ring of Power: Temptation. Only the humble Christian (Hobbit) can withstand the temptation. The lords and kings cannot.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Thank you for your generous and civil comments.
You will of course keep us informed on your progress in reducing your “reductionisms”. Best to you in that effort. My apology for any offense to your sensibilities. I was a bit harsh toward your internal argumentative conflicts perceiving them as perhaps intellectually dishonest. I obviously was enjoying it more than you. Again, my apologies.
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