MIDDLE-EARTH – MIRACLE OF CREATION

Release of ‘The Hobbit’ in cinemas coincided in time with our talks about Bible at Petrycy High School. Therefore we discussed Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece – the unexpected journey and also the sequel trilogy – as a deep-levelled reference to the Book. Some people may consider this tale about wizards, dwarves and magic to be pagan but author negated that by himself:

The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism.


The story

Although first Bilbo then Frodo happily live in idyllic, paradise-like Shire, in some point of their existence they both need to make a choice: either stay in their solid, stabile, peaceful place or leave for precarious, perilous, insecure adventure... Isn’t that an alternative we all face while growing up? Less or more voluntarily we have to quit our safe world of childhood and begin the never-ending travel to find ourselves again – to prove what we are, to test what we can become, to try what we can change around us. Life is quest, to live means to look for the meaning of life and once you found it, you fulfil the task, carry your burden until the end  – that’s what the nation of Israel taught us thanks to their linear concept of time.

 

Each of us has a share, everybody has a talent to use in this journey. Sometimes ‘bigger’ and more exposed, like Gandalf’s sorcery or Aragorn’s royalty; sometimes hidden as hobbits’ pure hearts. Finally it’s their ‘small hands which did great things’ by destroying fatal power of Sauron, comparable to David against Goliath or Moses against Pharaoh. So it’s us who decide whether to bury God’s gifts underground or risk using them interpersonally (inter-speci-fically in case of hobbits dealing with men, elves, trolls and so on). Not to risk at all is the biggest mistake – according to the Parable of the Talents – when you risk for a good cause, you can make mistakes too, but they all will be forgiven. Tolkien’s epic novel is full of confession, mercy and forgiveness acts, not only Boromir’s yet also Bilbo’s, Sam’s, Frodo’s... Beside we remember numerous moments when these last three characters together with Gandalf have mercy on Gollum and how this disgusting creature saves them all at the very end...

 

‘What a tale we have been in, Mr. Frodo, haven't we?’ reflects Samwise Gamgee on the slope of fiery cascading Mount Doom, caressing his friend’s four-fingered hand. ‘I wish I could hear it told!’ Yes, that is my wish too, living the life of which I am not ashamed or afraid to tell...

The symbolism

There is a wide multitude of various texts revealing themes, motifs, symbols in 'The Lord of the Rings' and its prequel. I just want to summarise few of them:

Ring of Power – gives you virtual freedom of being invisible but at the same time enslaves you, exactly as a sin does with human free will; it destroys relationships and ability to make independent choices

Smeagol and Deagol – Kain and Abel, offence of jealousy between brothers - every sibling knows that feeling...; ring is the tempter here
Sauron - tormenting, tyrannizing evil without any real form or shape; its eye opens into nothing
Saruman – fallen angel, serf of satan

Elves – angels, who are physically perfect, essentially immortal, unreachable beautiful, marvelous and mysterious

Hobbits – children, innocent and small yet living their own fabulous lives in Shire, which is an example of ideal, rural community

Aragorn and Arwen - models of liege lord and lady, sublime monarchs loved by their people
Gandalf – sign of Jesus Christ, as his return is similar to resurrection; but also acts as a pope in Middle Ages, when crowns the king

Battles and conflicts are images of the spiritual war - the struggle against evil we all fight every day

Undying Lands - afterlife, eternal happiness

Dear Readers, feel invited to search for other meanings connected with Bible and cultural traditions. Don't hesitate to share them with me, cause I find this topic very intriguing. Many thanks in anticipation!

ABOUT EVE ON CHRISTMAS EVE…

The word ‘eve’ in English indicates two things alike: the name of first woman in the world and the vigil of some important day. In Poland both these meanings meet on 24^th December, as it’s Christmas Eve rich in traditions (f. ex. non-meat dinner consisting of 12 dishes and ‘shepherds’ mass service at midnight), among them also ‘name day’ of all people’s parents, Adam and Eve.

This custom of celebrating ‘name day’ as particular saint patron’s feast day comes from Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox calendars of saints. ‘Saint’ is the key word here but Adam with Eve aren’t saints! Hardly could they be, considering their disobedience to God’s injunction... He forbade them to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil but our furthest ancestors broke the Creator’s command and as a result were expelled from the paradisiac Garden of Eden...

There were other consequences of ‘the first fall’ too: Adam, Eve and all their descendants became mortal, born in original sin, in need of baptism to erase it, guilty of actual trespasses, hardworking to stay alive. Moreover the entire natural world was corrupted as animals divided into prey or predators with all the effects of pain and death... What a crude punisment for eating one small apple!

When I heard this story as a child I felt fury: how could the first human couple be so careless and reckless? Then I read for numerous times it was only Eve’s guilt and that’s why all women should be duteous and obedient to men – as it has been (and still is) in patriarchal societies. That made me even more furious, cause in my opinion if Adam hadn’t wanted the prohibited fruit, he wouldn’t have taken it and males shifting whole responsibility to females on that basis are simply immature. Until now this narration from Book of Genesis constantly gives me food for thoughts.

Today I agree more with psychological explanation: paradise is our childhood, blissful and serene under parental supervision, while expulsion from this heavenly garden begins with small naughtinesses against them. In teenage years it continues with bigger insubordinations and – I believe – finishes with first sexual intercourse (forbidden fruit!) as a symbol of total disconnection from ones’ mother and father cause it means possibility of conceiving a new human being. In ideal world it should be an act of the biggest maturity...

In this context ‘first sin’ understood as becoming independent and fully grown is just the evidence of adolescence and should be perceived as a positive phenomenom! Without rebellion against authorities there’s no psychical progress! According to psychology each natural crisis in human life is the occasion to development. Life is a series of lessons and challenges which help us to grow (Erikson); In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity (Einstein).

So... let’s not blame Eva or Adam for evil’s existence in universe especially on their name day... I personally choose to accept my human nature with tendency to making mistakes but also ability to improve. I believe we are all light’n’shadow, black’n’white, angel’n’serpent...

"WHAT IS LEFT WHEN THE PASSION HAS GONE"

I probably wouldn’t have watched that film if it hadn’t been the 2^nd class students’ suggestion for the Teachers’ Day. And I need to say I would have been poorer of some warm-hearted feelings and discerning thoughts – so let me thank you, my 18-year-olds, for ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’!

We could say it’s another tale of love and war, based on the award-winning book by Louis de Bernières, but as simple as it sounds, the story is truly unconventional. Situated on a small Greek island called Cephallonia, begins with depiction of everyday life of dr. Iannis, respected though unofficial doctor of medicine. He lives with his only daughter Pelagia, beloved and educated by him, preparing to be his work-successor. When Pelagia (authentic role of Penelope Cruz) falls in love with a local fisherman Mandras, her father warns it’s only lust but anyway accepts her choice. The young couple engages and that’s the moment when the Second World War breaks out. Mandras decides to go fighting despite his fiancée’s will and disappears for a long time, never answering Pelagia’s numerous letters. When he finally comes back he confesses his illiteracy and behaves wildly. The woman tries her best but she cannot respect him anymore.

In the meantime Cephallonia is being occupied by quite unordinary conscript soldiers – the Italian Acqui Division entirely consisting of opera singers and musicians. They’re not interested in warfare at all, instead fond of wine, good food and willing women. They wholly fullfil stereotype of Apennine Peninsula’s inhabitants and the biggest ‘Italiano vero’ of them all is their captain Antonio Corelli. Nicholas Cage is not my favourite actor but I cannot imagine anyone else playing this character. He is so brisk & vigorous and has so stunning accent! Yes, he's got Italian background, Aunt Wiki just showed me he’s Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew...

OK – you could comment – we already know where it leads to – Pelagia and Antonio fall for each other, war ends, they live happily ever after... Well, not that quick! There are other protagonists in this movie too! Firstly, the historical links between two great ancient civilisations, Grecian and Roman. Even when Italian soldiers are allies of Nazis they tend to get on better with their Greek enemies than Aryan friends. Music, dance and plain lifejoy unite them so much that in September 1943 it becomes rather easy for whole division to refuse to surrender and fight the Germans for nine days before running out of ammunition. I had no idea that almost 10 000 of Italian soldiers died there – either in the combat or after it, massacred and drowned in the sea by former fascist partners... Secondly, there are also amazing shots of nature, beautiful, spectacular as well as powerful...

The writer himself descibed his novel to be about "what happens to the little people when megalomaniacs get busy." To me these ‘little people’ grow bigger and bigger as they prove devotion, sacrifice, self-restraint... And no, I’m not going to reveal the story ending here! Curious? Find it out for yourself! I wish you a nice watch:).

ONCE UPON A SEPTEMBER...

Raise your hands if you can’t help looking forward to next Sunday, 8 pm, premiere of the most fabulous ABC fairytale’s second season! I am counting down days and minutes, at the same time asking myself: ‘Why is that? What’s so addictive in this story? Am I insane or do I really want to believe in the magic of powerful feelings?’

Well, let’s try answering: as for me the greatest value of this show are strong women: not only the Evil Queen bending whole universe to her will but also Snow White with surprising underactions as a rogue bandit and Gretel the older sister winning over cannibalistic Blind Witch. 

Equally strong in both real and magical worlds are Cinderella bravely defending her new-born child, beautiful Belle deciding to live with the beast to save her father’s kingdom, as well as Ruby the not-Little very-Red Wolfing Hood... and even Abigail the princess generously releasing her ‘husband-to-be’ after she discovered he was in love with other – to me she counts as an independent, positive personality too.

But obviously ‘the strongest of them all’ is a female leading character, Emma Swan, mother fighting for her child so many times in so many ways stereotypically believed to be ‘male roles’: in the mine after earthquake, against the dragon monster, against the city mayor... She’s a butt-kicker, intelligent detective, courageous feminine taking all the neccessary actions. Smart, professional and lonely. So realistic even in the very middle of fantasy world.

Anyway all the women in season one are totally anti-Disney creations. They make their own choices, live with consequences, try to change unbearable – with or without men’s help... Yeah, what about male characters? Is it just my impression or do they really seem braver, bolder, more valiant in the fairy world than in reality?? Then what happens to boys in our 21^st century globalised civilisation, the example of which is Storybrooke? Why Pinocchio abandons small Emma? Why David Nolan doesn’t defend Mary Margaret as she defended him? Why sheriff Graham is Regina’s puppet?...

And the magic... This TV series helped me understand that magic does exist in our world – that our human emotions are magic, for some of us entirely mysterious, for others recognizable by intuition. Once I’ve read so true sentence: ‘you can’t control your feelings, only what you do about them’ – and the most omnipotent people are these who can take this control in their own hands.

Last but not least: I personally adore the episodes’ titles with double and sometimes triple meaning! “The Price of Gold” is a great example – in a fairy world that’s the price Cinderella must pay for Rumplestiltskin financial help while in a real life that’s the deal Emma makes with Mr. Gold. The same about “Skin Deep” or “Red-Handed”. 

I must admit I’m also a little bit afraid if season two will fulfil my both feministic and child-like expectations for true values shown in a unique way. Still I have seven days to wait. Are you counting them down with me or not?:)

IRELAND AFTER ELEVEN years

I’ve been to Eire for one month in 2001, mostly in western part but also in Dublin for a couple of days. At present I’m spending the same amount of time mainly in the capital city. How much can a place be changed during such a period? Which changes seem visible and important for a foreign observer like me? What things didn’t change and seem to be constant in this most western European country?

THE SAME 
First of all – Irish people. As friendly, open, positive and kind-hearted as I remembered. Whether you ask the way, do shopping, go to any institution or even cross the road not exactly on the pedestrian passage, the reaction is always polite, patient, relaxed and still effective. Honestly, I haven’t met any nervous drivers, any rude officials, any complaining or negative attitudes at all!

Next – the Emerald Island, as green and beautiful from the plane’s window as for the eye of a walker. Dublin – huge, international city, which looks like a nice, lovely town (apart from the crowded centre and industrial areas), thanks to omnipresent parks, meadows, pleasure grounds, grasslands, trees and bushes and these fabulous terraced houses with gorgeous gardens. From what I’ve seen their style is typical for each district. Very few blocks or skyscrapers don’t ruin the landscape. This place is a dream for everybody tired with hustle and bustle of urban agglomerations. 

Weather – yeah, that’s something you can rely on in Ireland. Changeable all the time but no extremes, almost always mild and temperate. And I’ve heard that the best Irish weather forecaster is simply a stone. Why? Well, when you observe the nearest stone and it’s wet, that definitely means rain. Stone is dry – it doesn’t rain. You can see stone’s shadow on the ground – it’s sunny. Stone’s white on top – it must be snowing. What if you can’t see the stone? It’s foggy. Stone’s swinging – windy day. Stone jumps up and down – earthquake, watch out! Stone’s gone and your house too – tornado…

DIFFERENT 
Main difference I’ve noticed is connected with my homeland: in 2001 I was a scout volunteer in Killaloe Water Activity Centre near Limerick and I was the first Polish person the local people have ever met. Poland wasn’t a member of the EU at that time or didn’t have direct flights to Dublin, so I had to travel via Frankfurt and London, at the airports talk to the immigrant officers, go through detailed passport and luggage controls, wait for the permission to stay. After 2004 things really changed. Now there are plenty of Polish people everywhere in Ireland: living, working, staying, sightseeing. There wasn’t a day out during which I didn’t hear my mother tongue somewhere: at a shop, in the bank, on a bus, in the concert hall, while walking around Wicklow mountains and so on...

Secondly – O’Connell street. At first sight it looked exactly the same – multicultural, busy, colourful. Oh, but right in the middle there is this Spire of Dublin, over 120 metres high steel and shiny, pin-like Monument of Light. Installed in 2003, it’s the world’s tallest sculpture and immediately became the most popular meeting point both for residents and visitors. It is amazing, gleaming at dusk, and even the annual cleaning with an enormous crane seems to be a great tourist attraction, considering amount of photos and YT films showing that ‘event’.

Finally, it was very impressive to find out that Ireland became the first country in the world to introduce an environmental levy for plastic shopping bags in 2002 and a public smoking ban in 2004. Added to all advantages of recycling it makes the country rather clean and tidy, with fresh air inside buildings and also outside.

All in all - Eire is a fantastic land worth visiting and coming back...