March 4, 2003

Reply to Comments and Explanations
Monica

In Comments and Explanations you mentioned the belief that Morgoth was a parallel to Satan. This appears to be a mistaken idea.

Yes, Morgoth is evil. But there are many things you have to remember when comparing him to Satan. First of all, the fact that LTR is set in Middle Earth. It has nothing to do religious aspect, or the real world. While the real world may of affected the writing, it is, in whole, a different world. J.R.R. Tolkein even specifically notes in his foreword of The Fellowship of the Ring that it does not have any inner meaning to it, or is allegorical.(Paraphrased) (Check page x)
Satan is not represented in this book, or any higher forces for that matter.

You also have to remember that if we were to call Morgoth a parallel to Satan, then we would have to call everyone who is essentially evil a parallel to Satan. And there are many people who could be thought of as essentially evil.

I do not want to open up a new debate, as I know this subject was closed off at least a year ago. But I just had to say something.