Publication Date
2016
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Major
English
Keywords
JRR Tolkien, Beauty, Loss, Hope, Eucatastrophe, Dyscatastrophe
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities
Recommended Citation
Philpott, Mary K., "Beauty and Loss: Tolkien's Eucatastrophe as a Mandate for the Church" (2016). Senior Honors Theses. 585.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/585
Abstract
In his writings, Tolkien affirms the presence of loss and longing, beauty and despair and analyzes the function they serve in both the secondary world of Middle-earth and the primary world. This thesis will explore his theories of the eucatastrophe and the dyscatastrophe, and his insistence that the joy and hope which are expressed by the eucatastrophe are dependent upon the dyscatastrophe—the presence of sorrow and despair. This thesis will also examine how Christians’ knowledge of Tolkien’s philosophy can better equip them to cope with the brokenness of a fallen world as well as provide motivation for developing and engaging a secular culture.
