Publication Date
4-2024
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
English
Keywords
Fantasy, Christian Fantasy, Sehnsucht, Eucatastrophe, Longing, Joy, Heaven, George MacDonald, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities | English Language and Literature
Recommended Citation
Shepherd, Ashley, "Where the Blue Flowers Grow: Sehnsucht and Eucatastrophe in Christian Fantasy Literature" (2024). Senior Honors Theses. 1360.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1360
Abstract
Sehnsucht is a longing for Heaven that cannot be fully described or fulfilled in this world. Eucatastrophe is an unexpected turn of events in a story that brings about incredible joy and a happy ending. This thesis examines how fantasy authors George MacDonald, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien explore both of these spiritual phenomena in many of their works. This thesis also discusses how sehnsucht and eucatastrophe appear in Scripture and can be used in stories to point readers to Heaven. Biblically, sehnsucht is a longing for Heaven, and eucatastrophe serves as the fulfillment of that longing. Fantasy offers a unique way to share the Gospel by allowing readers to experience other worlds and see familiar objects and ideas in a different light.
