majesty, simplicity, and transcendence in Middle-earth /
Lisa Coutras.
1 online resource (xvii, 279 pages)
Includes bibliographical references and index
Foreword; Alister McGrath -- Introduction -- Part I: On Myth -- Chapter 1. A Theology of Beauty -- Chapter 2. Primary Truth -- Part II: On Creation -- Chapter 3. The Light of Being -- Chapter 4. Incarnate Beings -- Chapter 5. The Wonder of Being -- Part III: On Language -- Chapter 6. The Law of the Logos -- Chapter 7. The Song of L̐Μưuthien -- Part IV: On Good and Evil -- Chapter 8. Being and Unbeing -- Chapter 9. The Splendor of Being -- Part V: On Tragic Heroism -- Chapter 10. The Tragedy of T̐Μưurin -- Chapter 11. Hope Without Guarantees -- Part VI: On Women -- Chapter 12. Tolkien and Feminist Criticism -- Chapter 13. The Transcendental Feminine -- Chapter 14. The Renunciation of Power -- Conclusion.
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In this book, Lisa Coutras explores the structure and complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưs narrative theology, synthesizing his Christian worldview with his creative imagination. She illustrates how, within the framework of a theological aesthetics, transcendental beauty is the unifying principle that integrates all aspects of Tolkien̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưs writing, from pagan despair to Christian joy. J.R.R. Tolkien̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưs Christianity is often held in an unsteady tension with the pagan despair of his mythic world. Some critics portray these as incompatible, while Christian analysis tends to oversimplify the presence of religious symbolism. This polarity of opinion testifies to the need for a unifying interpretive lens. The fact that Tolkien saw his own writing as ̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưreligious̐Μư̐Μư̐Μư and ̐Μư̐Μư̐ΜưCatholic,̐Μư̐Μư̐Μư yet was preoccupied with pagan mythology, nature, language, and evil, suggests that these areas were wholly integrated with his Christian worldview. Tolkien̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưs Theology of Beauty examines six structural elements, demonstrating that the author̐Μư̐Μư̐Μưs Christianity is deeply embedded in the narrative framework of his creative imagination.
Tolkiens theology of beauty.
9781137553454
Christian fiction, English-- History and criticism.
Christianity and literature-- England-- History-- 20th century.