April 25, 2002

Religion, Gandalf, and More Eagles
Diana

Lailam, you might have heard "God helps those who help themselves." It was somewhat related to what you were explaining. It's also related to "It's hard to be good." Evil just does whatever, but good tries to stop them. We solve our own problems, and God only helps. He doesn't solve them for us. I have thought that maybe Bombadil and the Elves represented Gods.

However, Peter, I agree that Tolkien didn't meant for his works to be an allegory or religiously related. I usually don't see a story allegorically. It spoils the story and makes it confusing. To me, Tolkien was just writing fiction for all audiences in the world with his creativity.

Curious George, Gnadalf might not have had the gravitational powers as Gandalf the Grey. He later announces to Saruman, "Behold, I am not Gandalf the Grey whom you betrayed. I am Gandalf the White who has returned from death." I saw the Balrog fight as a test and death as a step to promotion for Gandalf the White. The Narya must have protected him from fire. In the movie, he seemed to have started transforming while fighting the Balropg. When he met Aragorn, Legolas, adn Gimli, he said, "I have passed through fire and deep water." That sounds like a required challenge. He then explained, "Then darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time, and I wandered far on roads that I will not tell." I guess he meant a world of death. Then he "was sent back," which probably meant back to life, as Gandalf the White.

Renee, last night, I stumbled onto another webpage with a your question about the Eagles. They had two other possibilities we haven't discussed: the quest might have been required for Frodo to prepare himself to get rid of the Ring, and the Eagles might not have meant to carry out such big tasks. They often said that they couldn't carry Gandalf and others far.