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The One Ring Forums:
Tolkien Topics: Reading Room:
Oh, my, what a wonderful post!:
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Ethel Duath
Gondolin
Sat, 5:25pm
Views: 4213
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Oh, my, what a wonderful post!
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Yes, me too. This is one of my all-time favorite sections of the book.
I'd like to go into more detail, but can't manage it right now. I do think both of them keep going because of a deep inner conviction that what they are working to protect – both different in aspects for both of them, but with I think pretty much the same thing at the core – is not only greater than themselves, but of both bedrock and transcendent importance. Because of this, they are willing to sacrifice themselves as individuals because of the overwhelming nature and overwhelming importance of what they are trying to preserve.
What this says about both of them as far as their innate unselfishness and what I think is their sort of heartbreaking nobility of character seems to be to be pretty clear.
About your last sentence: I've actually been dealing with this some lately myself, which is kind of new to me and not very welcome (the temptation to despair, that is). Personally, in terms of Christianity, it's again the bedrock and the transcendence. Or maybe the bedrock transcendence. Keeping in mind those things that matter the most, centrally and eternally, and our (for Christians) fairly clearly spelled out responsibility towards those things. I suppose much of that would be shared by most theists, although I can't say for sure since there are so many different kinds! But keeping whom we believe in, in the forefront is part of the way out of despair if you're in it, and part of the preventative if you're on the brink. But sometimes things are so overwhelming, that simply doesn't do it. And in my experience as a Christian, it's the indwelling power and presence and love of God, when I allow that to be conscious part of my situation, that provides a floor to the pit of despair and sometimes turns it into an elevator.
(This post was edited by Ethel Duath on Sat, 5:27pm)
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Edit Log:
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Post edited by Ethel Duath
(Gondolin) on Sat, 5:27pm
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