The seeds that are planted at night; the stories that grow while we sleep (feat. the forefathers of modern Fantasy, J R R Tolkien and George MacDonald, and the biblical symbologist, Matthieu Pageau).
"One might not accept the experience of Faërie as an external power until one accepts that his thoughts and phantasies are rarely his own."
I like what you said here, Peter. So much of modern life is about ourselves: writers write for recognition and book deals, readers read to b personally validated, etc. I think that much like communal music, some forms of dance, etc., Faërie gets us in touch with something bigger than ourselves. It allows us to integrate with, instead of deconstruct and analyze. Really appreciate your sharing your views on Tolkien’s writing; he always has something new to offer.
So true, James, and more than anything, I think Faërie gets us in touch with our past, our ancestors and our land. Sorry I took so long to reply; it's been a busy week. Thanks as always for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Indeed, Katie. A sure sign of a good wonder-tale -- that we wish it to be true -- and to quote Puddleglum in Lewis's 'The Silver Chair':
'Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things -- trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia.'
"One might not accept the experience of Faërie as an external power until one accepts that his thoughts and phantasies are rarely his own."
I like what you said here, Peter. So much of modern life is about ourselves: writers write for recognition and book deals, readers read to b personally validated, etc. I think that much like communal music, some forms of dance, etc., Faërie gets us in touch with something bigger than ourselves. It allows us to integrate with, instead of deconstruct and analyze. Really appreciate your sharing your views on Tolkien’s writing; he always has something new to offer.
So true, James, and more than anything, I think Faërie gets us in touch with our past, our ancestors and our land. Sorry I took so long to reply; it's been a busy week. Thanks as always for reading and sharing your thoughts!
This brings up that old longing for these worlds to be true.
Indeed, Katie. A sure sign of a good wonder-tale -- that we wish it to be true -- and to quote Puddleglum in Lewis's 'The Silver Chair':
'Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things -- trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia.'
Love this quote. And am glad to know you and read your posts. I read Eugene Terekhin too and quoted him in my blog this week.
Likewise, Katie! And Eugene Terekhin's Substack is a gem.
An excellent article. Really enjoyed it.
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it.