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The Thomistic Institute
The Catholic Vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings | Prof. Paul Gondreau
May 29, 2024
Prof. Paul Gondreau discusses how J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic beliefs are reflected in 'The Lord of the Rings', highlighting themes of God, Christ, Eucharist, and divine providence. The podcast explores the influence of Catholic faith on characters, biblical imagery, virtues, and Eucharistic themes in the fantasy world. Topics include Eucharistic resonance, elevated womanhood, marriage, anti-Pelagianism, grace, divine folly, and forgiveness in Tolkien's work.
45:44
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Quick takeaways
- The Lord of the Rings reflects Catholic themes like the Trinity, Eucharist, and Mary, despite non-explicit mentions.
- Tolkien portrays Eucharistic symbolism through humble acts and relationships of characters like Frodo and Sam.
Deep dives
Catholic Themes in The Lord of the Rings
The podcast delved into how J.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is deeply intertwined with Catholic themes, reflecting significant elements of Catholic doctrine such as God, the Trinity, Christ, the Eucharist, the Virgin Mary, and more. Despite not overtly mentioning God or Catholicism in the story, Tolkien expressed his work as fundamentally religious and Catholic, layering the text with profound symbolism that echoes core Catholic beliefs.
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Discover
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