February 6, 2004

Hit Me!
Everett

First off, Magic Fire, there is no need to apologize for filning a few tomatoes my way. In fact, I rather enjoy it because it tends liven up the debate. Besides, my opening remark in my response to your reaction to your comments were made in mild surprise, rather than offense. I expected people to disagree with points from the two pieces in which the comment appeared, just not the Bakshi comment, which was intended to be more witty than a substantive point.

On an unrelated topic, I for one have no problem with the debate topics straying from Tolkein from time to time for several reasons. The first is simply that I enjoy political and theological discussion very much. The second reason is that neither we nor Tolkien and his works exist in a vacuum. So, when we make statements regarding Tolkien and his work, it is often helpful to bring in points not directly related to support the argument being made, be they substantive or witty, or both. When these points are made, it is quite possible that others reading the posts will have serious diagreements with points being made regarding things like religion or politics, much as they would with points regarding Tolkien. If these points of disagreement are severe enough, it is not unreasonable to allow for a reader to post a response to points of difference and to allow the author of the original post an opprtunity to reply. Thirdly, Tolkien's work, LotR and The Silamrillion in particular, while not allegorical, are meant to be applicable. That is, while not using the stories to convey a specific message, Tolkien supposes certain principles, historical motifs, philospohical and religious beliefs, etc. that undergird his work and govern the world of Middle Earth, and in many ways unearthing these principles and debating them both in the context of TOlkien and in and of themselves is more intellectually stimulating than discussing things like whether or not the Balrog has wings. In other words, they round out the debate, allowing to cover both serious and enjoyably frivolous topics within the same Forum. Certainly I would not like to see the Forum turn entirely or even largely into a political or religious discussion, but political and religious discussion have their place within a Tolkien Froum, and I see no reason to prohibit it so long as it does not get out of hand.

On that note, I'd like to close by adding a few more points to the case I made that Olorin returned to Valinor after slaying the Balrog. The first is that Olorin is a Maia of the Vala Manwe. Secondly, the Valar send the Istari to Middle Earth from Valinor to combat Sauron. It therefore makes sense that they will return there upon completion of their quest. Thirdly, Eru gives governance of Middle Earth to the Valar, and only once do they relinquish it: When the Numenoreans invade Aman. Therefore, the decision to send Olorin back to Middle Earth is a decision that the Valar have the authority and responsibility to make.