On the Shoulders of Hobbits

1. The Road: A Universal Symbol of Life's Journey

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."

The Road as metaphor. In both Tolkien's and Lewis's works, the Road serves as a powerful symbol for life's journey. It represents the path we all must travel, filled with both danger and opportunity. The Road challenges characters to grow, face their fears, and discover their true selves.

Thresholds and transitions. As characters cross various thresholds in their journeys, they transition from innocence to experience. These crossings often mark points of no return, forcing characters to confront new realities and shed old ways of thinking. Examples include:

• The Hobbits crossing the Hedge into the Old Forest
• Entering the town of Bree, a border between the familiar and unknown
• Passing through the Ford of Bruinen into the ethereal realm of Rivendell

Universal appeal. The Road's symbolism resonates with readers because it reflects our own life journeys. It reminds us that growth often requires leaving our comfort zones and embracing the unknown, just as the characters in these stories must do.

2. Responding to the Call: Embracing Destiny and Purpose

"Sam's hand wavered. His mind was hot with wrath and the memory of evil. It would be just to slay this treacherous, murderous creature, just and many times deserved; and also it seemed the only safe thing to do. But deep in his heart there was something that restrained him: he could not strike this thing lying in the dust, forlorn, ruinous, utterly wretched."

The hero's journey. Both Tolkien and Lewis draw on the archetypal hero's journey, where characters are called to adventure and must choose to accept or reject their destiny. This call often comes unexpectedly and requires great sacrifice.

Reluctant heroes. Many of the most compelling characters in these works are reluctant heroes who initially resist their calling:

• Frodo Baggins, content in the Shire, thrust into a world-saving quest
• Lucy Pevensie, stumbling through a wardrobe into a magical realm

Divine purpose. The authors imbue their stories with a sense of divine purpose or providence. Characters often feel guided by unseen forces, suggesting that their journeys are part of a greater plan. This reflects the Christian worldview of both authors, where individuals are called to play a role in a cosmic drama.

3. Courage to Endure: The Heart of Heroism

"I will not say the Day is done, / nor bid the Stars farewell."

Endurance as true courage. Tolkien and Lewis redefine courage not as fearlessness or bravado, but as the ability to endure in the face of overwhelming odds. This endurance is often quiet and unassuming, yet powerful in its persistence.

Examples of enduring courage:

• Frodo and Sam's grueling journey to Mount Doom
• Lucy's unwavering faith in Aslan, even when others doubt
• Aragorn's willingness to face the Paths of the Dead

Contrast with false courage. The authors juxtapose this enduring courage with more showy or reckless forms of bravery. Characters like Boromir, who initially seem more conventionally heroic, often fall short when true endurance is required.

4. Temperance: Finding Balance in a World of Extremes

"Men like me who possess hidden wisdom, are freed from common rules just as we are cut off from common pleasures. Ours, my boy, is a high and lonely destiny."

Moderation vs. extremes. Tolkien and Lewis present temperance not as bland moderation, but as the virtuous middle ground between harmful extremes. They show how both overindulgence and excessive asceticism can lead to corruption.

Examples of temperance:

• The Hobbits' enjoyment of simple pleasures without excess
• Faramir's ability to resist the Ring's temptation
• Caspian's balanced approach to ruling Narnia

Consequences of intemperance. Characters who lack temperance often fall into ruin:

• Denethor's despair leading to madness and suicide
• The White Witch's cruel tyranny over Narnia
• Saruman's fall from wisdom to destructive ambition

5. Wisdom: Discernment in a Complex World

"They will not let us help them. They have chosen cunning instead of belief. Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they can not be taken out."

True wisdom vs. mere knowledge. Both authors distinguish between accumulating information and possessing true wisdom. Wise characters demonstrate the ability to discern truth, make sound judgments, and see beyond surface appearances.

Characteristics of wisdom:

• Humility and willingness to learn
• Ability to see the bigger picture
• Discernment between good and evil, even when disguised

Folly of false wisdom. Characters who believe themselves wise but lack true discernment often cause great harm:

• Saruman's "mind of metal and wheels" leading to destruction
• Uncle Andrew's pursuit of occult knowledge blinding him to true magic
• The Dwarfs in "The Last Battle" unable to perceive the truth of their situation

6. Justice: The Restoration of Proper Order

"And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story."

Justice as harmony. Tolkien and Lewis present justice not merely as punishment for wrongdoing, but as the restoration of proper order and relationships. True justice brings healing and renewal.

The role of the just ruler:

• Aragorn's return bringing peace and prosperity to Middle-earth
• Aslan establishing righteous kings and queens in Narnia
• Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy ruling Narnia with wisdom and compassion

Justice vs. vengeance. The authors distinguish between true justice and mere retribution. Characters who pursue vengeance often find themselves corrupted, while those who seek true justice bring about reconciliation and healing.

7. Faith, Hope, and Love: The Theological Virtues

"All shall be done," said Aslan, "But it may be harder than you think."

Faith in unseen realities. Characters demonstrate faith by trusting in powers and truths beyond their immediate perception. This faith often sustains them through dark times.

Hope against despair. Hope is portrayed as a powerful force that can overcome even the bleakest circumstances. It is not mere optimism, but a deep trust in ultimate good.

Love as self-giving. The highest form of love in these stories is self-sacrificial, mirroring the Christian concept of agape love. Examples include:

• Aslan's sacrifice for Edmund
• Frodo's willingness to bear the Ring for the sake of others
• Lucy's compassion for even the most unlovable characters

8. The Nature of Evil: Perversion and Corruption

"For nothing is evil in the beginning. Even Sauron was not so."

Evil as parasitic. Tolkien and Lewis portray evil not as an equal force to good, but as a corruption or perversion of what was originally good. This aligns with the Christian view of evil as a privation of good.

The allure and emptiness of evil:

• The Ring's promise of power leading to enslavement
• The White Witch's Turkish Delight as a metaphor for addictive sin
• Saruman's fall from wisdom to destructive ambition

Redemption possibility. Because evil is a corruption rather than an essence, the authors leave open the possibility of redemption for even the most fallen characters. This is seen most dramatically in the complex character of Gollum.

9. Stories: Guardians of Timeless Truths and Virtues

"Friendship must be about something…. Those who have nothing can share nothing; those who are going nowhere can have no fellow-travellers."

Power of narrative. Both Tolkien and Lewis believed in the unique power of stories to convey deep truths and shape moral imagination. Their works demonstrate how fantasy can illuminate reality.

Stories as moral guides:

• The tales of past heroes inspiring current characters
• Aslan's story woven throughout Narnian history
• The ongoing narrative of Middle-earth shaping its inhabitants' choices

Eucatastrophe and hope. Tolkien's concept of the "eucatastrophe" – the sudden joyous turn in a story – reflects the Christian hope of ultimate redemption. This "good catastrophe" provides a glimpse of joy beyond the walls of the world.

Last updated: August 13, 2024