Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
I found the LOTR series to be pretty wretched with some small enjoyment garnered from the first one. I really don't even like the novels which I find to be long, dry, and lacking in anything but an attempt at Christian mythology.
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What part of LOTR is derivative of Christian mythology? I understood Prof. Tolkien based it on Norse mythologies. I did not consider that much when reading it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R...cal_influences
Tolkien once described The Lord of the Rings to his friend, the English Jesuit Father Robert Murray, as "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.[20] There are many theological themes underlying the narrative including the battle of good versus evil, the triumph of humility over pride, and the activity of grace. In addition the saga includes themes which incorporate death and immortality, mercy and pity, resurrection, salvation, repentance, self-sacrifice, free will, justice, fellowship, authority and healing. In addition the Lord's Prayer "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" was reportedly present in Tolkien's mind as he described Frodo's struggles against the power of the One Ring.[20]
[I might add that these themes are common in many world mythologies, but Tolkein was specifically influenced by Catholicism]
Non-Christian religious motifs also had strong influences in Tolkien's Middle-earth