"Hope without reason" was mentioned earlier. To me, this is the resolution of that subtle, apparent conflict which creates a paradox of hope and trust--seemingly the same, seemingly different.
I was deeply affected by a passage in
The Silmarillion. It is one I return to often in my life situations because it offers me a viable path to trust and then hope. Iluvatar speaks:
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... And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'
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Nothing can change what the one Creator intends. But like Sam, Frodo, Aragorn and Gandalf, as mentioned in earlier messages, one must "see" beyond self and the present situation for the context that allows for the possibility of hope beyond all reason. What Tolkien has done is given us a story that plays out the continual, deepest human crisis--a choice between a personal self in this world--"my" story, and being one part of the great whole--"the" story. (Those situations that call for a choice between what you like, want, your life, or, your discomfort, pain, and possible death.) When all illusions have been stripped away, one does the right thing because there is an innate knowledge--whether conscious, like Gandalf's, or unconscious like hobbits'-- that Eru's will cannot be thwarted. All will be well. This is faith, and hope cannot exist without it. There is peace that passes understanding in this, and it is beautifully portrayed, also cited earlier, when Sam looks up to see the shining star in the middle of darkest Mordor.
I'd like to offer Tolkien's thoughts on faith that, while addressing a topic other than LotR/Silmarillion, provides a direct illustration of their themes: [from
Letters # 250]
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You speak of 'sagging faith'...In the last resort faith is an act of will, inspired by love. Our love may be chilled and our will eroded by the spectacle of the shortcomings, folly, and even sins of the Church ... but I do not think that one who has once had faith goes back over the line for these reasons ... But the act of will of faith is not a single moment of final decision: it is a permanent indefinitely repeated act > state which must go on--so we pray for 'final perseverence.'
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What Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn have is this "final perseverance" and each epitomizes its different aspects to be found in humans of faith and, thus, hope.
I do not think Tolkien looked upon hope as the naive wish for things to be other than what they are. I think he has given us the perfect story that resonates in our hobbit souls, if not our minds--there is hope because faith is the most practical and only actual sane choice in an insane world.
To close, I would like to thank Estelyn for the original post. I was moved by the considerations of Aragorn, which were not apparent to me before reading them. This is why I love my Barrows--I get an education, enlightenment, and joy from both!