Very good question! I am not sure myself. I think in LOTR they use the term Wizardry rather than Witchcraft. I think that is one difference, people usually have a more negative view of the latter in fiction than the former for whatever reason.
Yes it is okay. First off because people can choose what they consider sorcery. But also because Harry Potter casts darker magic as good magic.
In LOTR, Magic is mostly a elf thing and it's more of a skill they have. Dwarves have some magic too but they are different. Sure the humans with power rings have magic but there is very little magic done by humans.
Reading/watching a special person do magic isn't the same as reading or watching a bunch of kiddo's casting spells. *shrug* you asked. :)
Interesting question, MadaLee, and one I've been thinking about recently after a discussion with a friend who used to be a LOTR fan, but isn't now because of the issue you mentioned. I understand her point of view, but I'm not sure I agree.
You used the word "sorcery", which, along with the word "witchcraft", is usually associated with evil spirits. But there is also good power--God's power. And sometimes God gives people (e.g. the apostles) special knowledge or the ability to perform miracles.
I think of LOTRs as somewhat allegorical (though I don't know if that's what Tolkien intended it as). The wizards' power seems to come from a higher source. When Sauruman misuses his, it is (eventually) taken away. When Gandalf dies, he is "sent back" to complete his task.
What do you think about the Chronicles of Narnia? They're considered Christian books, but they have a lot of the same content.
4 comments:
Very good question! I am not sure myself. I think in LOTR they use the term Wizardry rather than Witchcraft. I think that is one difference, people usually have a more negative view of the latter in fiction than the former for whatever reason.
-Grace Southern (CL)
Not sure, that is a good question!
Yes it is okay. First off because people can choose what they consider sorcery. But also because Harry Potter casts darker magic as good magic.
In LOTR, Magic is mostly a elf thing and it's more of a skill they have. Dwarves have some magic too but they are different. Sure the humans with power rings have magic but there is very little magic done by humans.
Reading/watching a special person do magic isn't the same as reading or watching a bunch of kiddo's casting spells. *shrug* you asked. :)
Interesting question, MadaLee, and one I've been thinking about recently after a discussion with a friend who used to be a LOTR fan, but isn't now because of the issue you mentioned. I understand her point of view, but I'm not sure I agree.
You used the word "sorcery", which, along with the word "witchcraft", is usually associated with evil spirits. But there is also good power--God's power. And sometimes God gives people (e.g. the apostles) special knowledge or the ability to perform miracles.
I think of LOTRs as somewhat allegorical (though I don't know if that's what Tolkien intended it as). The wizards' power seems to come from a higher source. When Sauruman misuses his, it is (eventually) taken away. When Gandalf dies, he is "sent back" to complete his task.
What do you think about the Chronicles of Narnia? They're considered Christian books, but they have a lot of the same content.
Catherine (HSA)
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