Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Your early morning thought of the day.
I don't usually post quotes from fictional characters, but when I do I go all in for Gandalf.
Loved that quote from Gandalf, which I've seen several times; it restores a sense of hope that a little Hobbit (with a real servant's heart) offered himself to save Middle Earth. I don't remember reading Tolkien's account where Frodo quit and did a reality tv show and pimped his friends into DWTS and did self-serving presidential tease acts along the way. Frodo had a real servant's heart.
That's what I love about those novels, the characters had true......character. I guess society is messed when we look to characters as our role models.
Not at all - that is the idea of literature and studying literature. we get to see a person objectively. We get to see how a certain character or type of character behaves in a limit situation. And we can see what causes them to choose unwisely - and thus to either strive to develop admirable character traits or avoid the causes of unwise decisions.
The denigration of literature and the liberal arts in general is one of the more dangerous plans of the convservocraps/ALEC/TeaTHUGlicans.
The thing that impressed me about Frodo was that he took a step back and it was the other three Travelers who received the fame and recognition. As to Gandalf - love him!!
I also find it interesting when Christian philosophy is represented in popular fiction.
Tolkien was a devout Catholic and the morality tales of Lord of the Rings were inspired by the Bible. Gandalf represents Jesus. That's why he was Gandalf the White when he returned from the dead. Jesus was described as radiantly white after his transfiguration. Galadriel quotes Jesus when she says "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Jesus used the same words to reassures his disciples. Tolkien converted C. S. Lewis to Christianity, and anyone who has read Lewis knows how his faith inspired his work, not always as obviously as in The Screwtape letters. Aslan the lion also represents Jesus, with his willingness to accept humiliation and suffering for the sake of love.
"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work," Tolkien wrote to a Jesuit friend.
Besides the references offered by Shetland above, there are many more: the seven gifts (sacraments) Galadriel gives to the Fellowship; the "way bread" they're given to sustain them during their journey (designated as wafers by Tolkien); ceremonially drinking from a common cup, and so on.
The Gandalf quote heading this post reminds me also of the writings of St. John of the Cross and of St. Therese's "Little Way." Of course they're not fictional characters, but I love the way Tolkien embodied the great themes of Christianity in his fictional works.
Would that we'd ever have a President as wise as Mithrandir!
ReplyDeleteGreat quote.
ReplyDeleteI know my bizarre proclivity for picking up litter is all that kept the World from outright dying this last couple decades. Little help here?
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful screen name-
DeleteThe NASTY liberal -- is that the kind of help you wanted?
Setting a good example rather than preaching.
ReplyDeleteLoved that quote from Gandalf, which I've seen several times; it restores a sense of hope that a little Hobbit (with a real servant's heart) offered himself to save Middle Earth. I don't remember reading Tolkien's account where Frodo quit and did a reality tv show and pimped his friends into DWTS and did self-serving presidential tease acts along the way. Frodo had a real servant's heart.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about those novels, the characters had true......character. I guess society is messed when we look to characters as our role models.
Not at all - that is the idea of literature and studying literature. we get to see a person objectively. We get to see how a certain character or type of character behaves in a limit situation. And we can see what causes them to choose unwisely - and thus to either strive to develop admirable character traits or avoid the causes of unwise decisions.
ReplyDeleteThe denigration of literature and the liberal arts in general is one of the more dangerous plans of the convservocraps/ALEC/TeaTHUGlicans.
Remember, $carah doesn't read.
The thing that impressed me about Frodo was that he took a step back and it was the other three Travelers who received the fame and recognition.
ReplyDeleteAs to Gandalf - love him!!
Pat Padrnos
Looks like Larry David from Clear History...
ReplyDeleteI also find it interesting when Christian philosophy is represented in popular fiction.
ReplyDeleteTolkien was a devout Catholic and the morality tales of Lord of the Rings were inspired by the Bible. Gandalf represents Jesus. That's why he was Gandalf the White when he returned from the dead. Jesus was described as radiantly white after his transfiguration. Galadriel quotes Jesus when she says "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Jesus used the same words to reassures his disciples. Tolkien converted C. S. Lewis to Christianity, and anyone who has read Lewis knows how his faith inspired his work, not always as obviously as in The Screwtape letters. Aslan the lion also represents Jesus, with his willingness to accept humiliation and suffering for the sake of love.
"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work," Tolkien wrote to a Jesuit friend.
ReplyDeleteBesides the references offered by Shetland above, there are many more: the seven gifts (sacraments) Galadriel gives to the Fellowship; the "way bread" they're given to sustain them during their journey (designated as wafers by Tolkien); ceremonially drinking from a common cup, and so on.
The Gandalf quote heading this post reminds me also of the writings of St. John of the Cross and of St. Therese's "Little Way." Of course they're not fictional characters, but I love the way Tolkien embodied the great themes of Christianity in his fictional works.