Would Tolkien be optimistic or pessimistic about our future? 🧵

This is a loaded question because Tolkien was himself pessimistic, but he believed in the eucatastrophe which asserts that providence often saves man from utter calamity via a last-second event that saves the day. His belief stemmed from events in history. Let's highlight a few. The Resurrection

As a Catholic, Tolkien believed that the first, and greatest, eucatastrophe was the Resurrection of Christ. Three days after the calamity of the Crucifixion, life triumphed over death.

Tolkien’s Art Imitates Real Life🧵

Were you aware that many of Tolkien’s iconic settings in Middle Earth were likely inspired by real world locations? Let us examine a few! Minas Tirith

The iconic capital of Gondor in the Third Age, can trace itself to a famous European landmark.

Some of Tolkien's Inspirations Drawn from Real Life Locations🧵

Tolkien drew his inspiration for his writings from many places including his faith, love of lore, experiences in war, and the world at large. Let us take a look at a few of his settings that were likely derived from real life locations. Minas Tirith & Mt. St. Michael

Tolkien's Love & Hate Relationship with Technology🧵

Chesterton famously described science and technology, when properly understood, as being either a tool or a toy. Tolkien definitely felt the same way as he struggled to adjust amidst large scale industrialization in England during his lifetime. Let us examine some of those growing pains. The Internal Combustion Engine

Tolkien vehemently criticized the internal combustion engine, calling it one of the most wicked inventions in human history. Orcs in the Hobbit are credited with developing technology that killed large numbers of people at one time. His experience in the bloodbath of WWI likely influenced this perception.

Tolkien's Eucatastrophe in the West🧵

Famously coining the word, "eucatastrophe", Tolkien saw its application both in his writings and in the real world. Simply put, the word means that civilization flirts with ruin, only to be saved at the last, possible moment in the most unlikely manner conceivable. Its most famous application can be directed to Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. Hope was gone after His execution, but then returned unlooked for on the third day.

This same phenomenon can be seen throughout the history of western civilization, a history that Tolkien both knew well and loved. Polish Cavalry Charge at the Siege of Vienna - 1683

Following a brutal siege, Vienna had been breached and the invading Turks were poised to sack the city which served as the primary gateway into the West. Vienna, with her proud history and culture was about to be obliterated. Quite miraculously, the Polish cavalry arrived at the last moment to repel the invaders and save the city. Many consider the Ride of the Rohirrim to be inspired by this event.

Caritas as the Ideal in Tolkien's World 🧵
Christianity was the driving force behind Tolkien's worldview as shown in his writings, in particular in Lord of the Rings. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that the greatest of the Theological Virtues is love, or charity. Those societies that practiced it, were elevated over the others and presented as the good and free peoples. Those who rejected doing everything for love fell under the shadow. Let us examine these contrasting peoples. The Shirefolk
Perhaps the most obvious example is the Shire. Its inhabitants loved their homeland and did their utmost to pour everything they had into their homes, families, and country. From agriculture, to food, to recreation, the hobbits lived lives rooted in a wholistic love of the good earth.

Tolkien's Eucatastrophe in Practice 🧵

Tolkien coined the word "eucatastrophe" to reference a seeming providential event that saves civilization from sliding into the abyss. It typically occurs unexpectedly and at the last, possible moment. Let us take a look at a few of these events in his writings. The Fellowship Comes to Rohan

Consider Rohan's plight prior to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, and Pippin arriving there all in the most unexpected ways. Gandalf liberates the king from Saruman; Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli prove instrumental in the victory at Helm's Deep; and the hobbits awake the ents who destroy Saruman's might for good. In the weeks prior, no one in Rohan could have anticipated such aid and their future looked uncertain at best.

Faramir Appreciation 🧵
In days such as ours, filled with wicked enemies who seek to overthrow the moral order through great power, I think we could all draw a little inspiration from Faramir, Captain of Gondor. Background
Faramir was entrusted with the duties of a captain in Gondor during a never ending war with Mordor. All his people could do was to defend themselves against constant threats from the Land of Shadow, but they lacked the strength to win the conflict.

As if this was not bad enough, Faramir lost his mother at a young age and had to live under his brother's shadow. His father, Denethor, clearly preferred his first born, Boromir, to Faramir.

Sequel to Lord of the Rings: “The New Shadow”, Tolkien’s Abandoned Work🧵
Many folks are unaware that Tolkien began a sequel to the Lord of the Rings, set in the first century of the Fourth Age. It begins to recount the possible return of an older evil. Tolkien quickly abandoned it, though, as too depressing and unnecessary to his writings. However, what little bit we have seen of it further reveals the good professor’s subtle knowledge of human nature and the ways in which evil can gain a foothold even in defeat. Vigilance against wickedness and the risks associated with good times are also discussed. It touches on some very relevant themes to our day and age. Let us take a look at this largely ignored piece of wisdom. 1\6 Risks of Peace and Contentedness
Set in the Fourth Age of a now prospering Gondor, “The New Shadow” describes the end of the reign of King Eldarion. Growing numbers of people are restless and subsequently reverting to “orcish” behavior. Tolkien described this tendency in his letters explaining why he halted his work. “…it is inevitable that we should be concerned with the most regrettable feature of their [man’s] nature: their quick satiety with good.” -Letter 256 We can see this at work in the West. We are four generations removed from the last cataclysmic disaster to afflict the us, so now we make up our own problems and adopt ideologies that lead to confusion and dysfunction. 2/6

Gandalf & Sauron: A Comparison in Virtue 🧵

Gandalf and Sauron were pitted against each other to determine who would have supremacy in Middle Earth during the Third Age. Tolkien did a brilliant job of demonstrating the opposing virtues and vices epitomized by each. Let’s look at this comparison to increase our understanding of their opposition not only on the battlefield, but also in their personal character. 1/6 Meek Humility Versus Prideful Power

Both Gandalf and Sauron were Maiar meaning they had essentially the same wieldable power. Nevertheless, both exhibited powers differently. Gandalf was a humble, old man. He was meek and never showed his powers unless necessary. The hobbits that loved his fireworks would never have know that he was able to slay a Balrog. By contrast, Sauron sought to use his power to dominate everything. His servants were completely under his will, like the orcs who were driven by his enmity. 2/6

Gandalf, Saruman, and the Three Evangelical Counsels:
Western Monasticism is characterized by the nature of the three vows taken by all monks and religious brothers: Voluntary Poverty, Perpetual Chastity, and Perfect Obedience. Adherence to these traits is meant to lead the sinner closer to God by promoting detachment from all earthly objects.
The chasm between Gandalf and Saruman can be better understood by examining each in relation to these ideals. 1/6 Voluntary Poverty: The Grey Pilgrim vs. the Earthly Lord
Gandalf wandered from land to land, having no home and relying on the hospitality of others as he sought to aid the West against the threat of Sauron. The only possession he really had was Shadowfax during the War of the Ring, and even then, the stallion kept its autonomy and seemed to voluntarily follow Gandalf as his aid and fellow warrior.
Saruman, however, became a lord of men by assuming the regency of Isengard and operating not unlike a king. As Treebeard put it, Saruman is trying to become “…a power…” and “He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment.” In so doing, Saruman isolated himself and had no community to aid him. Isengard was destroyed, not by Gandalf, but by those (the ents) in league with him, who fought because it was the right things to do. 2/6

Three Christ Figures in Lord of the Rings
Tolkien was very candid regarding his worldview behind The Lord of the Rings:
“The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”
Though his writing is more subtle than say a C.S. Lewis with the Aslan character, Christ still has a central role. The three Christ-types, usually referenced as Priest, Prophet, and King can be demonstrated by the three characters most associated with the defeat of Sauron: Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn.
Here is a closer look. 1/6 Frodo: The Priest
From a Catholic perspective, the role of priest dates back to the Old Testament priest Melchizedek who offered a sacrifice of bread and wine. Later, Christ offered the sacrifice of Himself on our behalf. Frodo follows this pattern of self-sacrifice as he carries the burden of the ring on what is basically a suicide mission. It is, however, the only way to truly save Middle Earth from the threat of domination by Sauron. The only hope for humanity to triumph over sin and death was a divine sacrifice by the Son. In a way, Frodo offers himself for our salvation. 2/6