SirJushiro
New Member
Hello everyone,
Initially, I must apologize. This topic may have already been covered in recent episodes of the podcast. I would not know as I am still putting in the work of catching up to the current production. I began listening late this summer and just began the Council of Elrond this morning. However, I was encouraged by an attendee of TexMoot2022 to post a few questions I have been mulling over since the podcast has hit its stride. Additionally, these questions come from a seminarian, so they are quite influenced by a theological tilt.
While this may seem ancillary, I think it is important to be capable of reading Tolkien's work in light of his various influences, including the Catholic imagination. We see throughout the series that Tolkien will repeatedly appeal to Medieval themes and understandings of the world. In light of these influences, I think the Ring provides an especially fascinating study of the intersection of Medieval thought, Catholic imagination, and Tolkien's fantasy world-building. So far in the class sessions the focus of conversation around the Ring has been directed toward "Ring-induced monologues." The consistent observed theme of these monologues and impulses has been a tendency toward isolation. This is also noticeable in the behavior of those who possess the Ring (see esp. the behavior of Gollum).
Individuals who find themselves in possession of the Ring seem to gradually put off or shun community, though sometimes this shunning appears to be a mutual practice between member and community. Community is arguably an important, if not essential element of Medieval life, especially Medieval Christian life. For instance, see the devastating impact of the shunning of the lepers in Medieval times and what their excommunication and symbolic death meant for their survival. So what does this have to do with the Ring and sin? Well, one of the many ways that sin is described is frequently through its tendency to fracture community. This is evident in the Fall and then re-imagined throughout the broad picture of Scripture. The Catholic Church redoubles this emphasis with their description of sin in reference to mortal and venial sin and the role of Eucharist in establishing community. Those who are able to receive the Eucharist at Mass are identified as physically part of the community of Christ in the Church. Those who cannot are physically illustrated as outside (either permanently or momentarily) the Church.
So, to what degree is Tolkien pulling from Medieval Catholic conceptions of sin when he conceives of the way that the Ring impacts those who wield it and fall under its sway? Frodo is shown as actively shunning fellowship and community when he is most fully under the sway of the Ring (see the events at Bombadill's house). Gollum breaks off and is cast out from his society for his actions. After this Gollum flees from what is good and the light and seeks to live in permanent isolation, except when he might feed off of the rewards of extinguishing other lives. (I have also heard interesting parallels between Lembas bread and Eucharist.) Does understanding the impact of the Ring in terms of Medieval understandings of sin and community allow readers of The Lord of The Rings to find further depth in the text? If so, how do we speak of this depth? And, even more, how do we communicate about this depth with those who are not familiar with either the Christian tradition, or its Medieval postures toward sin and community?
Initially, I must apologize. This topic may have already been covered in recent episodes of the podcast. I would not know as I am still putting in the work of catching up to the current production. I began listening late this summer and just began the Council of Elrond this morning. However, I was encouraged by an attendee of TexMoot2022 to post a few questions I have been mulling over since the podcast has hit its stride. Additionally, these questions come from a seminarian, so they are quite influenced by a theological tilt.
While this may seem ancillary, I think it is important to be capable of reading Tolkien's work in light of his various influences, including the Catholic imagination. We see throughout the series that Tolkien will repeatedly appeal to Medieval themes and understandings of the world. In light of these influences, I think the Ring provides an especially fascinating study of the intersection of Medieval thought, Catholic imagination, and Tolkien's fantasy world-building. So far in the class sessions the focus of conversation around the Ring has been directed toward "Ring-induced monologues." The consistent observed theme of these monologues and impulses has been a tendency toward isolation. This is also noticeable in the behavior of those who possess the Ring (see esp. the behavior of Gollum).
Individuals who find themselves in possession of the Ring seem to gradually put off or shun community, though sometimes this shunning appears to be a mutual practice between member and community. Community is arguably an important, if not essential element of Medieval life, especially Medieval Christian life. For instance, see the devastating impact of the shunning of the lepers in Medieval times and what their excommunication and symbolic death meant for their survival. So what does this have to do with the Ring and sin? Well, one of the many ways that sin is described is frequently through its tendency to fracture community. This is evident in the Fall and then re-imagined throughout the broad picture of Scripture. The Catholic Church redoubles this emphasis with their description of sin in reference to mortal and venial sin and the role of Eucharist in establishing community. Those who are able to receive the Eucharist at Mass are identified as physically part of the community of Christ in the Church. Those who cannot are physically illustrated as outside (either permanently or momentarily) the Church.
So, to what degree is Tolkien pulling from Medieval Catholic conceptions of sin when he conceives of the way that the Ring impacts those who wield it and fall under its sway? Frodo is shown as actively shunning fellowship and community when he is most fully under the sway of the Ring (see the events at Bombadill's house). Gollum breaks off and is cast out from his society for his actions. After this Gollum flees from what is good and the light and seeks to live in permanent isolation, except when he might feed off of the rewards of extinguishing other lives. (I have also heard interesting parallels between Lembas bread and Eucharist.) Does understanding the impact of the Ring in terms of Medieval understandings of sin and community allow readers of The Lord of The Rings to find further depth in the text? If so, how do we speak of this depth? And, even more, how do we communicate about this depth with those who are not familiar with either the Christian tradition, or its Medieval postures toward sin and community?