I found something interesting while reading my biography of Tolkien, "Tolkien and the Great War" and afterwords reading "Out of the Silent Planet." They both mention the same idea about danger/pain in their writings.
In chapter 12 of "Out of the Silent Planet" Ransom has met the Hrossa and is talking to them about Oyarsa and the role of the Hnakra in their lives. In the middle of the conversation Hyoi, the Hrossa Ransom first met states about the Hnakra: "I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes. (pg 76)"
Tolkien says something similar in the notes and sketches of his "Book of Lost tales" when Iluvatar and his Ainur have created the world by singing and music. Amongst the Ainur is Melko better known as Morgoth in later evolutions of the story. Though Melko has added dissonance to their beautiful music, Iluvatar states that it makes the world that much more marvellous (John Garth pg 255). I haven't read the "Book of Lost Tales" or "The Silmarilliron" to know if this aspect of the story remains or not, so someone will have to tell me.
What does everyone else make of Hyoi's statement? Does danger (or pain for that matter) make life sweeter and more marvellous?
In chapter 12 of "Out of the Silent Planet" Ransom has met the Hrossa and is talking to them about Oyarsa and the role of the Hnakra in their lives. In the middle of the conversation Hyoi, the Hrossa Ransom first met states about the Hnakra: "I do not think the forest would be so bright, nor the water so warm, nor love so sweet, if there were no danger in the lakes. (pg 76)"
Tolkien says something similar in the notes and sketches of his "Book of Lost tales" when Iluvatar and his Ainur have created the world by singing and music. Amongst the Ainur is Melko better known as Morgoth in later evolutions of the story. Though Melko has added dissonance to their beautiful music, Iluvatar states that it makes the world that much more marvellous (John Garth pg 255). I haven't read the "Book of Lost Tales" or "The Silmarilliron" to know if this aspect of the story remains or not, so someone will have to tell me.
What does everyone else make of Hyoi's statement? Does danger (or pain for that matter) make life sweeter and more marvellous?
posted by Emily at 8:42 AM
1 Comments:
Danger? I LAUGH in the face of danger... heh..okay, nevermind.
Seriously though, I read that and thought it made a lot of sense, because I believe that after you feel the depravity of any situation, you more fully appreciate what it is to have what you need (in this case, safety).
I mean, think about it: what glass of water tastes better than one taken in after being parched (a nod of the head to the "need-love" Lewis talked about earlier this semester)? Or the feeling I get when I see my family or my girlfriend after having been away for months at a time. That feeling wouldn't be as intense, and my appreciation of their very persons wouldn't be as much had I seen them every day (or, at least, the same). Or, ultimately, after recognizing our fallen souls, doesn't the salvation that Jesus offers us seem that much sweeter (okay, I'm a reformed kid, what can I say?)?
Without danger, no one would realize what it means to be safe enough to sing a song or paint a picture.
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