June 28, 2002

Big Guns and Christianity
Jon L.

It is actually not always true that the guys with the big guns win. Dwight Eisenhower said that the general who wins any battle is the one who makes the fewest mistakes. Interesting quote. What makes a good story, fantasy or otherwise, is how the author withholds power and when. That's where the story happens. Galdalf is removed from the picture at a critical time no less than four times in the Hobbit and several times in the LOTR. He is introduced and then disappears at Bag End, leaving Bilbo to fend for himself with the dwarves. He vanishes when the dwarves and Bilbo are attacked by the Trolls and again in the Misty Mountains when Bilbo meets Gollum. Then he disappears on his mysterious errand at the border of Mirkwood leaving Bilbo and company on their own until the end of the story. Just when a wizard would be useful.

This is comparable to 'The Wrath of Khan' where the newly renovated and updated Enterprise is quickly disabled, forcing the crew to use their wits against Khan. Compare this to the Deus ex Machina which happens when the power for good steps back in at the last minute and rescues the foundering hero. If there is a Supreme Being, one has to ask the question: Why does he withhold himself? And how does he decide when to intercede and by how much? Christianity has one answer: The Fall. Of course, this just pushes the question back further: Why did God withdraw from Adam and Eve during the temptation? Either he is not a 'Supreme' Being, or there is something else going on. Other religions answer this question differently. I think that Tolkein maintains this Christian ambiguity. We really don't know why a God would stand back and let people make mistakes and suffer the consequences that they do, other than to say: "That's where the story happens."

Jon Loux.