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a.s.
Valinor
Dec 3 2008, 12:21am
Views: 5316
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Yes, I do think Frodo is Christ-like, and there are many aspects of Frodo's story that resemble the story of Jesus' Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection. We can find many similarities, and looked at that way, Frodo is a "Christ-figure", and functions in some ways as savior or redeemer in the story itself. He has his own personal Gethsemane of fear and doubt and desire to end his mission before he is finished. He clearly has his own Way of the Cross, his own cross to carry, and his figurative death on behalf of others, and a figurative resurrection. And even, in a way, a figurative ascension into heaven when all is said and done.
And yet, I don't think Tolkien intended any of this as either an allegorical retelling of the Resurrection, or as Christian instruction. He did not intend us to read the story and say, "aha! Frodo is Christ, then!" or anything like that. He is just telling the story of personal bravery and sacrifice using the model (models, really) he loved well.
I do think that Frodo is Christ-like, and that he exemplifies a distinctly Christian kind of heroism modeled after the story of Christ.
I don't know enough about pre-Christian heroes to know if there is no other model for Frodo's actions than the Christian one. I would think Tolkien was sure (based on LOTR alone) that it was possible to sacrifice oneself for one's fellow with no knowledge of Christ or even of one's personal God. Isn't that what our heroes in LOTRs do, by and large? They trust "the wise" who advise them, but basically they simply try to do what is right because it is right, and if this involves personal sacrifice, it must be done.
Is this a specifically Christian model? I don't even know how to ask that without sounding like I'm being sarcastic, LOL. But I'm not. I'm just admitting my own lack of knowledge here. Is there something peculiarly Christian about the type of heroism Frodo displays? Is it because he does it without regard to his personal fame, for instance, or without considering his "good name", etc?
a.s.
"an seileachan"
Some say once you're gone, you're gone forever, and some say you're gonna come back.
Some say you'll rest in the arms of the Savior, if sinful ways you lack.
Some say that they're coming back in a garden: bunch of carrots and little sweet peas.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
Iris DeMent
Call Her Emily
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User
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Time
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The Field of Cormallen #2: Dust in the Wind
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a.s.
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Dec 1 2008, 12:41am
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Very short answers
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sador
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Dec 1 2008, 7:54am
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eucatastrophe
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a.s.
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Dec 1 2008, 11:21am
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Well, you missed leading it
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sador
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Dec 1 2008, 11:41am
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Oh. True that. :-)
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a.s.
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Dec 1 2008, 12:16pm
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Apocalypse now
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FarFromHome
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Dec 1 2008, 7:09pm
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Definitely not re-telling
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sador
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Dec 1 2008, 10:19pm
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Everyman indeed!
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Dreamdeer
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Dec 2 2008, 3:58pm
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Would you agree that Frodo is Christ-like?
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Curious
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Dec 2 2008, 8:08pm
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He's part of the Trinity
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Darkstone
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Dec 2 2008, 8:25pm
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And while few of us
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Curious
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Dec 2 2008, 8:42pm
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Yes, but.
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a.s.
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Dec 3 2008, 12:21am
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It may not be
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Curious
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Dec 3 2008, 3:00am
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totally agree with that //
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a.s.
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Dec 3 2008, 11:09am
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But he does fail in the ultimate test
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sador
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Dec 3 2008, 7:24am
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I think the accounts of Krakatoa's eruption may be a greater influence.
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Curious
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Dec 1 2008, 10:35pm
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