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The C.S. Lewis podcast
#152 Is ‘The Lord of the Rings’ a religious work?
Apr 8, 2024
Dr. Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien's Faith, dives into J.R.R. Tolkien's religious influences in 'The Lord of the Rings', exploring themes of Catholicism, humble hobbits, Eucharistic symbolism, and theological nuances. She discusses Tolkien's identification with characters like Sam, his struggles, doubts, and the connection to 'Leaf by Niggle'.
20:21
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Quick takeaways
- Tolkien's Catholic faith is subtly woven into The Lord of the Rings through themes of death, humility, and Christocentric focus.
- Characters in The Lord of the Rings embody aspects of Catholic virtues like humility, reflecting Tolkien's nuanced integration of religious themes.
Deep dives
J.R.R.R. Tolkien's Faith and Catholic Themes in The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R.R. Tolkien's faith and Catholic themes are integral to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, despite the stories not being religious allegories. While Tolkien rejected the notion of religious allegory, he described his work as fundamentally religious and Catholic. The themes of death, desire for deathlessness, good and evil, and humility in the hobbits reflect Tolkien's Catholic worldview integrated unconsciously and consciously in the revision of his work. The Eucharist held a central place in Tolkien's spirituality, emphasizing his Christocentric focus.
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