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Catholic Perspective
Morals should be a guide to our human purposes.... a use of our talents - Tolkien

Page 1. Foreword
Page 2. Overview
Page 3. Allegory
Page 4. Truth and Myth
Page 5. The Man
Page 6. Creation
Page 7. Seven Great Themes
Page 8. Sacrificial Love
Page 9. Exaltation of the Humble
Page 10. Providence and Hope
Page 11. Conflict of Good and Evil
Page 12. Mercy and Forgiveness
Page 13. Industrial Advancement
Page 14. First and Last Things
Page 15. The Parallels
Page 16. Priest, Prophet and King
Page 17. Trees of Life
Page 18. Three, Seven and Nine
Page 19. 25th of the Month
Page 20. the Lembas
Page 21. MetaphysicalElements
Page 22. Women of Middle-earth
Page 23. Final Comments
The White Tree of Gondor

Legolas

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  Page. 7

 

The Lord of the Rings is a monumental work of literature. It combines so many aspects in subtle ways that make it appealing and enthralling, that it's difficult to break them down.

But as most writers do, and as is shown in HoME [the History of Middle-earth], Tolkien built his story piece by piece; often reworking and re-writing. The themes in the Lord of the Rings are not in the story by chance. And it's worth studying them.

Gandalf & Pippin in Minas Tirith

Joseph Pearce, in his book Tolkien: Man & Myth brings up the notion of five great themes in the Lord of the Rings. I would say there are Seven.

These themes are not just humanitarian in origin.

They have their origin in Tolkien's own values and beliefs which are Christian. Forgiveness, Sacrificial Love, Humility, Hope; these are all lovely in themselves but find a much more profound and eternal origin and expression in light of Jesus Christ and His Salvation.


Next page - Sacrificial Love

 

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