[The Saucepan Man]

It's a long time since I read any Jung, but I did have quite an interest in his ideas (in particular on dream interpretation) at one time. So some of the ideas that are discussed in that article rang some long-forgeotten bells with me.

One point that occurs to me is that it should not be a question of applying Jungian ideas to JRRT's world, but rather identifying in that world the pre-existing concepts that Jung identified in developing his theory of psychoanalysis. As I recall (and aided in my recollection by reading the article), Jung's archetypes were identified by him as being part of the human collective consciousness. They were not invented by him, but were already alive and kicking in mythic tradition and centuries of story-telling. He simply applied them as a psychoanalytical tool. And since JRRT drew heavily on mythology and epic tales in creating the world of ME, it s no surprise that the archetypes that Jung described are present in his works.

I found the article most interesting (thanks Esty) and agree with most of the analysis presented of the characters in LotR (although I am not so sure about Shelob as a representation of the dark side of the female anima - horrific though she is, I just don't see her as a powerful enough figure to gain that kind of status within the story as a whole). Clearly, both Frodo and Aragorn fit the "hero" role, each having their own quest to fulfil within the book. But I think that each member of the Fellowship are, in their own individual ways, "hero" figures. Indeed the Fellowship might be see as a kind of collective "hero". It had a Quest to fulfill, and each character represented certain strengths and weaknesses. With the breaking of the Fellowship, the story focuses on the individual Quests of Frodo and Aragorn. But the other characters also have their own inner journeys to make. For example, I always found the transformation of Merry and Pippin from two ordinary young Hobbits into the rounded and confident individuals that they are at the end (culminating with the Scouring of the Shire) one of the most endearing aspects of the second two books. As a result of the experiences that they undergo, they are able to find their "inner selves".

One of the most interesting points that the article touches on is the idea of Boromir as the flawed hero. Although it is perhaps unfair to attribute his downfall solely to pride and a desire for sef-glorification, that downfall is nevertheless a product of him attacing too much importance to his own agenda. His concern is with his people and their struggle with the darkness, and so he is unable to see the "big picture". Since he cannot see much beyond what Jung would describe as his ego (ie the interests of his people) he becomes vulnerable to the dark seduction of the Ring and (although redeeming himself as a character) fails in his own personal Quest.

It would be intresting to look for these archetypes in the Silmarillion. I suppose that "hero" figures abound, although very few are able to complete their Quests. Feanor and Turon are both, I suppose, flawed heroes, Feanor being defeated by his own pride, although Turin seems to have little choice in the woes that he undergoes. On the other hand heroes such as Beren, Tuor and Earendil are able to complete their Quests. The anima figures are there in Melian and Luthien and also perhaps Morwen and Nienna. There is no clear wise old man figure, although I suppose that this might be the role of the Valar and the Maiar. They offer guidance at times to the heroes (Ulmo in particular) and, in the War of Wrath, arrive to save a hopeless situation.

So, I agree very much with the article that these archetypes do exist in JRRT's world. By looking for them in his works, we are not applying Jung's ideas to those works, but rather identifying in them the archetypal figures that pre-existed both JRRT and Jung, but were drawn upon by both of them in their respective endeavours.