Joseph Pearce on Finding Ourselves in Middle-earth

"In his famous essay on fairy stories, J. R. R. Tolkien asserted that one of the most important facets of fairytales is that they hold up a 'Mirror of scorn and pity towards Man.' The fairy story, Tolkien wrote, 'may be used as a Mirour de l'Omme' (mirror of man), as something that shows us ourselves. If this is so, and it is, it means that the greatest fairy stories are not mere fantasies that serve as a flight from reality but are a powerful means by which we can see ourselves and others more clearly. In this sense, and paradoxically, the greatest fairy stories are also works of realism. They show us reality.

"The best way of putting Tolkien’s words to the test is to see how The Lord of the Rings, probably the most popular fairy story ever told, holds up a mirror that shows us ourselves."

In a recent commentary, Joseph Pearce, Senior Editor at the Augustine Institute and Tolkien & Lewis Chair in Literary Studies at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, reflected on some of the ways in which "Tolkien allows us to find ourselves in Middle-earth, seeing ourselves reflected in the characters and the lessons they teach us about what it is to be human."

To access Mr. Pearce's complete essay, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Joseph Pearce: Finding Ourselves in Middle-Earth (16 MAY 18)