I agree that there is certainly some sort of providential force working on LOTR, but I think that Tolkien’s refusal to spell that out in any definitive sense is one of the strengths of the book. Unlike Milton, he is not out to “justify the ways of God to men.”
Yep, I’d agree. Even characters like Gandalf, who you’d think would have some clearer idea of what’s happening, divine-intervention-wise, still is like, “well I don’t know but I have this feeling...”
John, thanks for highlighting Jenn's terrific essay.
Without denying "providential force," I still see a lot of individual agency/free will at play in Jenn's essay. The loyalty of Sam to Frodo., the inclination toward mercy of many of the characters. The respect toward nature, epitomized by the sacred love of trees vs. viewing tress as a raw material. Even Boromir's lack of what we might today call "self-awareness."
I agree that there is certainly some sort of providential force working on LOTR, but I think that Tolkien’s refusal to spell that out in any definitive sense is one of the strengths of the book. Unlike Milton, he is not out to “justify the ways of God to men.”
Yep, I’d agree. Even characters like Gandalf, who you’d think would have some clearer idea of what’s happening, divine-intervention-wise, still is like, “well I don’t know but I have this feeling...”
John, thanks for highlighting Jenn's terrific essay.
Without denying "providential force," I still see a lot of individual agency/free will at play in Jenn's essay. The loyalty of Sam to Frodo., the inclination toward mercy of many of the characters. The respect toward nature, epitomized by the sacred love of trees vs. viewing tress as a raw material. Even Boromir's lack of what we might today call "self-awareness."
This is great!
Did you actually deliver these as lectures?
I've never worked at an institution where an actual pre-prepared lecture was feasible or practical. I kind of wish I could have.
Thanks! They were delivered just like this--it was an online-only class, an ancient one, back in 2004.