Posted: July 02, 1999 at 07:27:45: by Steve S.
: : : When reading the books by Tolkien, I can't help but want to be there myself and actually be one of the existing characters (even Sauron). All characters are noble in their own way and everyone has his or her own characteristics that apeal to different people. It sounds sad I know, but when i read the books I start to think 'how can I be more like that person in everyday life?' This is to all the regulars and anyone else: Which character do you admire the most and why? : : Not sad at all! That, indeed, is the purest goal of literature and all entertainment: to inspire you to be more noble and courageous because you have seen such qualities in one of the characters. Indeed, if the entertainment does not do that but instead is a mere diversion or worse yet tries to inspire you toward the more base and ignoble, it should be rejected! This idea is not new - one of the Greek philosophers gave a warning to not listen to just any story teller that came along for basically the same reason. You will find the Greek's quote and a longer discussion of this idea at the beginning of "The Book of Virtues", a collection of old tales edited by William Bennett (former education secretary & drug czar in the Reagan and Bush administrations). His goal was to give parents & kids stories that encouraged one of several virtues: friendship, honesty, love, etc. : : As for me, I think Frodo and Aragorn are my favorites because of their true nobility and self sacrifice. : : Cheers,
: : -Steve S. :The same feelings arose within me last time I read LotR, Aragorn is certainly a noble figure who morally embodies what I would like to be one day. I now am re-reading The Once And Future King, and this same inspiration is occuring as I read the stories of Sir Lancelot-unfortunately I know what happens later, but up to that point they are very similar in how they inspire me. The Elves in general Inspired me as well in that they are what I pictured man to be before the fall, "glorified man" so to speak. C.S. Lewis portrays man before the fall in his poem "The Adam At Night"-(I think that's the title) in a similar way to the elves (of Tolkiens world)in that there's a certain connection with nature. Before I thought of elves as little pointy eared creatures who lived in trees. Now, after reading Tolkien, I believe I have a vision of what man could have been.
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I'll agree to that to the point of their expanded capabilities - healing, discernment, one with nature, and such. But obviously the elves had all too human weaknesses of character, with pride being the most obvious of the most noble of Tolkien's elves. -Steve S.
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