As we finish the quarter and look towards our final projects, I want to explore the importance of creation and subcreation in Tolkien’s works and in our own lives. We have discussed at length the religious themes and spiritual undertones that guide the Lord of the Rings books, from the battle between good and evil to themes of sin and enlightenment to cities in Middle-Earth that directly mirror biblical ones. The impact of Christianity on his writing is undeniable as even he referred to the books as “a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision” and that is why the text itself does not contain references to religion, but rather has religion woven into its fabric (Letters, 142). Tolkien's subcreation is not merely an exercise in world-building, but also a reflection of his moral and ethical convictions. Themes of courage, sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of power permeate his works. Through subcreation, Tolkien weaves these timeless moral truths into the fabric of Middle-earth, providing readers with profound insights and contemplation.
So, I would like to end the quarter where we started, by providing a possible answer to the question of what on earth J.R.R. Tolkien was doing when he wrote the Lord of the Rings. Or, more accurately, why do we, as humans, have a fundamental desire to create and subcreate? After all, I believe the entire class opted to create an original work rather than write the essay. Because, as I see it, as human beings, that is what we do. We make pretty things and if we are lucky, we get to share them with the world and see the world through them. I was struck today by our discussion of the perspective of devotional objects and how they dictate what we see. Devotional objects such as crucifixes, rosaries, icons, and statues play a significant role in personal and communal worship. While these objects are used as focal points for prayer, meditation, and contemplation, facilitating a sense of spiritual presence and connection, some may fall into the trap of viewing them through others. Anyone who grew up Catholic could probably tell you about losing focus at mass on Palm Sunday. One minute you are engrossed in your own palm and listening to the priest, and the next you are trying to figure out how Mrs. Smith folded hers into a cross shape or seeing how many times you can tickle your sibling with the tip of your leaf before your mom notices and you get in trouble. Or something like that. All that is to say that when we lose our focal point, we lose our purpose. The process of creation uniquely allows us to hand select our focal point and to see the world and our place in it as we wish to. Our own final projects, which are intended to evoke the same level of depth as Tolkien’s own works, allow us to explore his world in a new way, just as Tolkien has allowed us to view the world in a new way through his own writings.
In class, we discussed the purpose of life which is not about us as humans, but rather more divine and beyond us. The world exists in all its glory therefore we must have some purpose and creator. However, I would argue that the purpose of life is, in fact, about us. Life is about what we choose to create and how we choose to create it. Even a Catholic priest, whose life is devoted to the Church, writes a homily every week to inspire his congregation. His creations are devoted to God, but the aspects of the Gospel he chooses to highlight and the feeling he leaves the churchgoers with is, in some rights, his own. The act of creating allows us to see the world in a new way, and grant that same sight to others. When we tap into our imagination, we release our unique vision and interpretation of the world first to ourselves as the creators and then to others. Through this lens of creativity, we become more attuned to the beauty, intricacies, and hidden meanings that may have gone unnoticed. By actively shaping our creations or subcreations, we actively shape our perspective, enabling us to see beyond the surface and embrace the wonders that lie beneath. The act of creation becomes a transformative journey, not only for us the creators but also for our audiences, as it invites us to see the world with fresh eyes. Whether that is because we are perfect beings created in God’s divine image is up to the creator and the viewer. But the process of subcreation itself, the purpose of life, I would argue, is fundamentally about us. For “Blessed are the legend-makers with their rhyme of things not found within recorded time.” - JMR
2 comments:
I laughed at the thought of tickling your sibling with the palm frond—how hobbit-like! Very nice illustration of the difficulty of keeping focus, but also of what Tolkien said about not being too proud to worship with those who embarrass us in their (apparent) lack of piety. I still think that our creations are meant to be focused on God, not ourselves as artists, but of course Tolkien's purpose was to encourage art. You will be happy to know that some have taken the opportunity of an essay, too—scholarship is also a creative work, if you will, a form of story-telling! RLFB
I appreciate the thoughtful reflections and examination of the relationship between religion, creation, and subcreation in Tolkien's works. Your commentary does indeed deepen my understanding of the role of subcreation in his literature, especially how it represents a unique vision of the world. You mentioned how humans have a fundamental desire to create and subcreate, and I think this stands as an essential question.
A possible further inquiry could be: "Does the act of creation and subcreation vary across different cultural or religious backgrounds?" This question can extend the conversation to a more multicultural and multi-religious perspective, exploring the universality of the desire to create and subcreate. I believe that it is inherent in humanity across all cultures.
Furthermore, I agree with your assertion that life's purpose is fundamentally about us and what we choose to create. This challenges the oft-heard narrative that life's purpose transcends human existence. Your take adds a layer of personal responsibility and self-expression to the quest for meaning, highlighting the importance of our individual and collective creative contributions. - WS
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