The Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind 'The Lord of the Rings
By Stratford Caldecott. The Crossroad Publishing Company (New York, 2005) 160 pp., $16.95.
The Battle for Middle-Earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in 'The Lord of the Rings
By Fleming Rutledge. William B. Eerdmans Publishing (Grand Rapids, Mich., 2004) 373 pp., $20.
A student persuaded J.R.R. Tolkien to publish "The Hobbit," a book he had written for his children. When adults unexpectedly embraced the 1937 book, his publishers called for a sequel. Almost two decades later, Tolkien presented his epic: "The Lord of the Rings." Too large for a single book, it was published as a trilogy and has had a large adult audience ever since. That audience was broadened in recent years by a film trilogy and video strategy games that took Middle-earth into new media.
An online search finds more than 300 book titles commenting on the trilogy and its author. Now two new books look at the spirituality and Catholic influence in Tolkien's works.
"The Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind 'The Lord of the Rings'" is a relatively short, but jam-packed, offering from Stratford Caldecott, a Catholic lay scholar and director of the Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture in Oxford, England.
Caldecott begins with a lesson on Tolkien's history and love for the Catholic faith. Tolkien was raised by a Catholic priest, who was a friend of the family, after his mother died when he was 12.
Tolkien discussed his epic novel in letters written to his son, Christopher, and in companion works about the history of Middle-earth. Caldecott uses these writings to explain Tolkien's spirituality in his own words. Caldecott identifies grace, marriage and a "sacramental universe" as elements in "The Lord of the Rings" that reveal a Catholic influence.
Caldecott's book is not an easy read; it requires concentration and patience. That may not deter "Ring" enthusiasts. But the first page should read: "Heavy references ahead. No novices allowed." This is not a book for a person hoping to gain background knowledge before picking up the trilogy.
"The Battle for Middle-earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in 'The Lord of the Rings'" is a more gentle read. Its author, the Rev. Fleming Rutledge, an Episcopal priest with previously published works including "The Bible and The New York Times," shows an obvious love for Tolkien's work. Rev. Rutledge describes his own work as a "theological narrative" that seeks to "specifically identify the allusions to a transcendent agency that Tolkien has placed along the way."
Like Caldecott, Rev. Rutledge refers to Tolkien's letters to support his theories. He says it was part of Tolkien's plan that the characters and setting of "The Lord of the Rings" do not demonstrate a religion. Using a letter Tolkien wrote to fellow author C.S. Lewis (who wrote "The Chronicles of Narnia"), Rev. Rutledge explains how Tolkien hoped to reach two types of readers: Christian believers and those who have no theistic faith.
Comparing the narrative structure of Tolkien to the narrative structures in the Old and New Testaments, he says Tolkien hoped to reach unbelievers through a majestic story that included a disguised theological design.
At 373 pages, Rev. Rutledge's book is an enjoyable read that can be digested bit by bit. Readers should be familiar with Tolkien's characters and settings to appreciate Rev. Rutledge's book, although the book could inspire those who have not read the trilogy to pick up the masterpiece for themselves.
The Reviewer:
Jean Gonzalez serves as projects editor for The Florida Catholic in Orlando.
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