Wow, HerenIstarion, what a great post!
I read this discussion with the greatest interest, but I am no good myself at expressing my thoughts and feelings. I am so muddled...
Yet I will say that I agree with most of what you wrote, i.e. with Tolkiens values.
There is so much timeless truth in his works that appeal to people . He doesn't preach morals, but the "morals " and the religion are absorbed in the story and the symbolism and in that way are "brought home" much more subtly.
Well, my problem is exactly with "choice"! How to trust "one's own wisdom" if I haven't got one? I refer to the quote I made on May 17 from Meneldur's speech:
Quote:
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When either way may lead to evil, of what worth is choice?
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Situations in the world nowadays are mostly so complicated that it is hard to see what is right. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]
I remember one other letter by Tolkien where he writes about the right and the wrong side in a war, but I just can't find it at the moment..
[ July 19, 2003: Message edited by: Guinevere ]