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Originally Posted by davem
To attempt an answer I would say that fantasy & imagination are part of one's universe of ideas but that the ability to distinguish between fantasy (torturing an elf or Donald Duck) & reality (torturing your next door neighbour) is the first requirement of a sane human being.
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Davem, what is the significant difference between imagining torturing your neighbour and imagining torturing a neighbour who is in every detail similar to the "real" one, in a world where the only difference from the "real" one is that your town's name ends with an extra "t" (or put any trivial difference, or no difference at all)?
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Originally Posted by davem
I think one can pick that up from the way he uses them.
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However, there is a distinction to be made between the literary value and moral values of an evil character. Working to enhance the value of a literary work by presenting a properly powerful enemy does not amount to adhering to that evil character's values.
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Originally Posted by davem
The point you're missing is that he chose to write about a world of dragons, Balrogs & Orcs.
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Why do you say I miss this point? I already acknowledged, at least in my second to last post the literary value, giving high tone and lofty serioussness. Again, literary, not moral, value.
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Originally Posted by davem
I suppose your point is that Tolkien would have felt that anyone who had no time for his Elves is simply 'sated with good'.
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No, I was addressing what I understood from your post that dislike of the boredom of good characters somehow implies or allows for siding with immoral characters in their evil. This is a false dilemma, a reader is not forced to side with the opposite side in the performing of their immoral acts, if the good side is somehow boring.
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Originally Posted by davem
And yet Tolkien talks of longing for them in his heart.
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Yeah, for tales of valour, for the heart of a timid boy may be tough, although his body may be soft. Desiring to display and cultivate courage (even if only in an imaginary setting) could imply respect of enemies, but not adherence to their values.
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Originally Posted by davem
It is not. It is a work of Art.
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I am not aware that being a work of Art negates all the stated intentions concerning the moral and religious truths in the Legendarium. This is a false dilemma.
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Originally Posted by davem
Turin is hardly just a victim of circumstances - he brings disaster on himself by his attempts to avoid Morgoth's curse. His fate is determined for the most part by his own decisions.
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Do you deny the importance of Melkor's curse or of how Glaurung messed his mind?
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Originally Posted by davem
others may find her annoying, trivial & self obsessed & wish that someone had dropped a piano on her head.
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Oh, the irony of that in the context of our discussion
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