Happy Tolkien Day!
From a letter to C. Ouboter, Voorhoeve en Dietrich, Rotterdam 1958
"As for 'message': I have none really, if by that is meant the conscious purpose in writing 'The Lord of the Rings', of preaching, or of delivering myself of a vision of truth specially revealed to me! I was primarily writing an exciting story in an atmosphere and background such as ( Read more... )
Comments 4
Such a subtle and interesting difference!
Reply
There is a subtle difference. I wonder if the elves thought of that difference that much.
Reply
Of course, his characters such as Aragorn had a hope that extended beyond the circles of the world. I suppose in seeking immortality, the erring Men had either forgotten that hope or lost their belief to the point where they preferred the known to the yet-to-be known?
However, I find myself wishing that pets could live forever. Or, at least, as long as their owners do. Perhaps Anne McCaffrey had the right idea with her dragons and their riders, who had similar lifespans. I have said goodbye to too many pets. I can only hope that I may meet them again, somewhere beyond this life. But I have no way of knowing for sure, and that thought grieves me no end.
Reply
I think Men just wanted what they could not have and Sauron deceived the men of Second Age to desire beyond what they were given by the Valar. It's always how people are- they like to covet that they don' t think they have yet and it's easy to not be satisfed with what you have. Tha'ts why modern day gratefulness is so important. Tolkien wrote feeling that the reason for a race's "downfall" is desiring what they don't have it seems.
can only hope that I may meet them again, somewhere beyond this life. But I have no way of knowing for sure, and that thought grieves me no end.
People that have passed too- hope i can see them again but depends on one's belief system of the afterworld and it varies with religion or no religion.
Reply
Leave a comment