The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Would the Middle Earth saga be considered a religion in of itself?

mark12_30 · 06-14-2002, 09:25 AM

Legalos,

I think there is a difference between knowing something in one's "head" and knowing something in one's "heart". One might call it the difference between "Logos" and "Rhema." What Tolkien (and other fiction writers) are sometimes good at, is writing in such a way that the "lesson" penetrates to the heart and becomes a deeper part of oneself. To me this is much more than a "reminder". It involves character formation on a high level.

You could say that Frodo was only "reminded" during his quest that pity is a good thing; if you had asked him sometime in the Shire before 1418, he probably would have said, Sure, pity is a good thing.

But being face to face with Gollum, and actually pitying him, was learning the lesson in his heart, not just in his head. I don't think that was a reminder, I think it was a deepening, where the lesson penetrated further and further into his being. I think it was a turning point in his life. From that day on he would never be the same.

Peace, --Mark12_30

06-14-2002, 09:25 AM	#40
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Legalos, I think there is a difference between knowing something in one's "head" and knowing something in one's "heart". One might call it the difference between "Logos" and "Rhema." What Tolkien (and other fiction writers) are sometimes good at, is writing in such a way that the "lesson" penetrates to the heart and becomes a deeper part of oneself. To me this is much more than a "reminder". It involves character formation on a high level. You could say that Frodo was only "reminded" during his quest that pity is a good thing; if you had asked him sometime in the Shire before 1418, he probably would have said, Sure, pity is a good thing. But being face to face with Gollum, and actually pitying him, was learning the lesson in his heart, not just in his head. I don't think that was a reminder, I think it was a deepening, where the lesson penetrated further and further into his being. I think it was a turning point in his life. From that day on he would never be the same. Peace, --Mark12_30 __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.