Pagan Inspiration in C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

I asked ChatGPT to summarize pagan influence in the work of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and below is the result.  I'm very familiar with both of these authors, and, as I suspected would be the case, ChatGPT's summary is very helpful and accurate.

There are rays of truth in all human religions and cultures, and a Catholic Christian worldview encourages us to approach various cultures and religions with a nuanced perspective, recognizing elements of incompatibility and difference, but also recognizing and appreciating elements of truth and beauty.  I think the works of Lewis and Tolkien provide an excellent example of such nuanced appreciation, and how Christians can derive inspiration from paganism.  I've discussed this more here, here, and here.

I should note that neither Lewis nor Tolkien advocated an uncritical acceptance of pagan ideas.  They were critical of certain aspects of paganism, particularly where pagan ideas conflict with Christian beliefs and values.  There is a lot of diversity in paganism, as I discuss in this post.  But what I want to emphasize here is the positive value they found in pagan myths, themes, motifs, and practices, as they appreciated them from a Christian point of view.

The analysis below was generated with the assistance of OpenAI's ChatGPT sometime in August.

C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis, renowned for his profound Christian writings and imaginative fiction, intricately wove pagan motifs, themes, aesthetics, practices, deities, and magical elements into his works. This synthesis was not merely artistic but stemmed from his belief in the intrinsic value of myth and its role in pointing toward deeper truths. Lewis saw pagan myths as echoes of a universal longing for redemption and truth, which he believed were ultimately fulfilled in Christianity. This integration showcases how Lewis reconciled pagan elements with his Christian worldview, using them to enrich his narratives and convey spiritual truths.

Incorporation of Pagan Elements in Lewis's Works

1. Mythological Creatures and Deities:

   • The Chronicles of Narnia series is replete with creatures from Greek and Roman mythology, such as fauns, centaurs, dryads, naiads, and satyrs. For instance, Mr. Tumnus, a faun, plays a pivotal role in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
   • In "Prince Caspian," Bacchus and Silenus, figures from Roman mythology associated with revelry and nature, appear and participate in the narrative, symbolizing liberation and the restoration of rightful order.

2. Pagan Practices and Rituals:

   • Lewis incorporates festivals and celebrations that echo pagan rituals. The joyous romp led by Bacchus in "Prince Caspian" mirrors ancient rites celebrating nature's bounty and the gods' favor.
   • The emphasis on deep magic and ancient laws in Narnia reflects a world governed by timeless, mystical principles reminiscent of pagan cosmologies.

3. Aesthetic and Thematic Elements:

   • The natural world is sacralized, embodying a living, enchanted universe where trees and rivers possess spirits, akin to animistic beliefs in pagan traditions.
   • Themes of sacrifice, rebirth, and redemption are explored using pagan symbols, such as the dying-and-rising god motif, which parallels Aslan's sacrificial death and resurrection.

4. "Till We Have Faces":

   • This novel is a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth from Greek mythology. Lewis delves deep into pagan religious practices, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and the human longing for the divine.
   • The protagonist's journey reflects a spiritual pilgrimage from ignorance to understanding, using the framework of a pagan myth to explore universal truths.

Relation to His Christian Worldview

1. Myth as a Precursor to Truth:

   • Lewis viewed pagan myths as "good dreams" given by God to humanity, preparing the way for the ultimate truth revealed in Christianity.
   • He believed that these myths contained fragmented reflections of the same truths fulfilled in the Christian narrative of Jesus Christ.

2. "Myth Became Fact":

   • In his essay "Myth Became Fact," Lewis argues that myths are expressions of profound truths and that Christianity is the true myth that became historical fact.
   • By incorporating pagan elements, Lewis bridges the gap between myth and history, showing how ancient stories find their culmination in the Christian gospel.

3. Redemption of Pagan Elements:

   • Pagan motifs are not presented in opposition to Christianity but are redeemed and integrated into a Christian framework.
   • The presence of pagan deities and creatures in Narnia acknowledges the validity of their symbolic meanings while subsuming them under the sovereignty of Aslan, the Christ figure.

4. Imagination and Faith:

   • Lewis championed the role of imagination in understanding and experiencing faith. Pagan myths stir the imagination, opening hearts to spiritual realities.
   • He used pagan imagery to make Christian truths more accessible and resonate deeply with readers' innate sense of wonder and longing.

Lewis's Theological Perspective

1. Natural Law and Deep Magic:

   • The concept of "Deep Magic" from the dawn of time in Narnia represents a moral order inherent in the universe, akin to the natural law tradition in Christian theology.
   • This reflects Lewis's belief in a universal moral code that transcends cultural and religious boundaries, which pagan myths also touch upon.

2. Common Grace and General Revelation:

   • Lewis acknowledged that truth and beauty in paganism are a result of God's general revelation to all humanity.
   • He believed that God imparts wisdom and glimpses of truth even outside the specific revelations of Christianity.

3. Transformation and Fulfillment:

   • Pagan elements are transformed within his stories to serve a higher purpose, illustrating the fulfillment of human myths in divine reality.
   • This aligns with his view that Christianity does not discard pagan truths but fulfills and elevates them.

Conclusion

C.S. Lewis masterfully integrates pagan motifs into his works to enrich his storytelling and to highlight the universal human quest for meaning, truth, and redemption. By doing so, he demonstrates how pagan myths are not antithetical to Christian belief but can be harmoniously woven into a Christian narrative that fulfills the deepest longings expressed in those myths. Lewis's approach reflects his conviction that all myths and stories find their ultimate significance in the Christian story, where the myth becomes reality, and the ancient hopes of humanity are realized.

Through this synthesis, Lewis invites readers to explore the depths of their own imaginations and desires, guiding them toward the spiritual truths he cherished. His works stand as a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge cultures, epochs, and beliefs, revealing a tapestry of divine truth threaded through the diverse expressions of human longing.

J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for his epic works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, was a devout Roman Catholic whose deep faith profoundly influenced his writing. However, his works are richly infused with pagan motifs, themes, aesthetics, practices, deities, and magical elements drawn from Norse, Celtic, and other mythologies. Tolkien's intricate blending of these elements serves to create a mythopoeic world that explores universal themes such as good versus evil, sacrifice, and redemption. This synthesis reflects how Tolkien reconciled pagan elements with his Christian worldview, using them to illuminate spiritual truths and moral principles.

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Incorporation of Pagan Elements in Tolkien's Works

1. Mythological Creatures and Beings:

   • Elves and Dwarves:
     • Tolkien's Elves and Dwarves are heavily inspired by Norse mythology. Elves (Álfar) and Dwarves (Dvergar) in Norse myths are supernatural beings with their own realms and cultures.
     • In Middle-earth, Elves are immortal, wise, and possess a deep connection to nature, while Dwarves are skilled craftsmen and miners, echoing their mythological counterparts.
   • Ents and Dragons:
     • Ents resemble the tree-like beings found in various mythologies, symbolizing the personification of nature.
     • Dragons like Smaug draw from European dragon legends, embodying greed and destructive power.
   • Valar and Maiar:
     • The Valar and Maiar are god-like beings that govern the world, similar to pantheons in pagan religions. They represent various aspects of creation and natural forces.

2. Pagan Themes and Motifs:

   • Heroic Quest and Destiny:
     • The narrative structure follows the classic hero's journey found in mythologies, where characters embark on quests that shape their destiny.
   • The Cyclical Nature of Time:
     • Tolkien's world operates in ages, reflecting the cyclical concept of time present in pagan cosmologies.
   • Fate and Prophecy:
     • Prophecies and predetermined fates play significant roles, akin to the Norse concept of fate (wyrd).

3. Aesthetic and Cultural Elements:

   • Runes and Languages:
     • Tolkien, a philologist, created languages like Quenya and Sindarin, inspired by Finnish and Welsh. The use of runes echoes ancient writing systems like the Futhark runes.
   • Cultural Practices:
     • Rituals, songs, and storytelling within the cultures of Middle-earth reflect pagan traditions of oral history and celebration.

4. Magic and Supernatural Elements:

   • Magic as a Natural Force:
     • Magic in Middle-earth is an inherent part of the world, wielded by beings like wizards (Istari) and Elves. It is not "supernatural" but a natural aspect of existence.
   • Artifacts and Relics:
     • Objects like the One Ring, swords like Narsil/Andúril, and the Silmarils hold immense power, reminiscent of enchanted items in myths.

5. Creation Mythology:

   • "The Silmarillion":
     • Tolkien presents a creation story where Eru Ilúvatar (the One) creates the world through a great musical theme sung by the Ainur, paralleling creation myths in various pagan traditions.

6. Nature and Respect for Nature:

   • Reverence for the Natural World:
     • Tolkien's works exhibit a profound respect for nature, reflecting pagan animism where natural elements are imbued with spirit and agency.
     • Forests like Fangorn and Lothlórien are depicted as living entities with consciousness and memory.
   • Harmony with Nature:
     • Characters such as the Elves live in harmony with their environment, embodying a deep ecological wisdom and stewardship over the natural world.
   • Environmental Themes:
     • The destructive impact of industrialization is personified in characters like Saruman, whose defilement of Isengard represents a violation of natural order.
     • The scouring of the Shire highlights the consequences of environmental neglect and the importance of restoring balance.

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Relation to His Christian Worldview

1. Sub-Creation and Reflection of Divine Creation:

   • Concept of Sub-Creation:
     • Tolkien believed that humans, made in the image of a Creator, have the innate desire to create (sub-create). His myth-making is an act of sub-creation that reflects divine creativity.
   • Moral Order and Providence:
     • Despite the pagan elements, the underlying moral order in Middle-earth reflects a Christian understanding of good and evil orchestrated under divine providence.

2. Redemption and Sacrifice:

   • Christ-like Figures:
     • Characters like Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn embody aspects of Christ's journey—sacrifice, resurrection, and kingship.
     • Gandalf's fall and return as Gandalf the White mirrors resurrection.
   • Self-Sacrifice:
     • The willingness of characters to sacrifice themselves for others aligns with Christian virtues.

3. The Fall and Corruption:

   • The Corrupting Influence of Power:
     • The One Ring symbolizes sin and the corrupting nature of power, reflecting the Christian concept of original sin and temptation.
   • The Fall of Races:
     • The decline of Elves and Men echoes the Fall of Man, a central theme in Christian theology.

4. Hope and Eschatology:

   • The Triumph of Good Over Evil:
     • The ultimate defeat of Sauron represents the eschatological hope in Christianity that good will prevail.
   • The Undying Lands:
     • The Elves' journey to the West can be seen as a metaphor for the soul's journey to the afterlife.

5. Integration of Pagan Elements into a Christian Framework:

   • Baptizing the Myths:
     • Tolkien aimed to 'baptize' pagan myths, infusing them with Christian meaning while preserving their mythical beauty.
   • Universality of Truth:
     • He believed that pagan myths contained splinters of the true light, which Christianity fulfills.

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Tolkien's Theological Perspective

1. Free Will and Moral Choice:

   • Emphasis on Choice:
     • Characters are defined by their choices, highlighting the Christian belief in free will and moral responsibility.
   • Resisting Temptation:
     • The struggle against temptation, as seen with Frodo and the Ring, underscores the spiritual battles described in Christian theology.

2. Suffering and Providence:

   • Purpose in Suffering:
     • Suffering leads to growth and fulfills a greater purpose, aligning with the Christian understanding of redemptive suffering.
   • Hidden Providence:
     • The unseen guidance of a higher power reflects the Christian belief in God's providential care.

3. Community and Fellowship:

   • Importance of Fellowship:
     • The unity and cooperation among diverse races symbolize the Christian ideal of community and the Body of Christ.
   • Hospitality and Generosity:
     • Acts of kindness and hospitality are recurrent, echoing Christian virtues.

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Conclusion

J.R.R. Tolkien masterfully weaves pagan motifs and elements into his works to create a rich and immersive mythological world. While deeply rooted in various pagan traditions, his narratives are imbued with Christian symbolism and themes, reflecting his faith. Tolkien does not reject the pagan myths but reinterprets them, integrating their universal truths into a Christian framework.

Through this synthesis, Tolkien explores profound themes of creation, fall, redemption, hope, and the sanctity of nature. His works emphasize the intrinsic value of the natural world, advocating for a harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment. This respect for nature aligns with both pagan reverence for the natural world and Christian stewardship of creation.

His stories invite readers to ponder the complexities of good and evil, the significance of free will, and the possibility of redemption. By harmoniously blending pagan elements with his Christian worldview, Tolkien's narratives resonate with a timeless appeal, offering both an epic adventure and a reflection on the spiritual truths that transcend culture and time.

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References to Key Works:

• "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings": Exploration of heroism, sacrifice, the battle between good and evil, and the deep connection to nature.
• "The Silmarillion": Detailed mythology of Middle-earth, including creation myths and the history of its peoples.
• Letters and Essays: Tolkien's correspondence and writings provide insight into his intentions and the theological underpinnings of his work.

By delving into the rich tapestry of Middle-earth, readers encounter a world where pagan and Christian elements coalesce, offering a profound reflection on the human condition and the divine narrative that Tolkien believed encompasses all of history. His emphasis on the respect for nature serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all creation and the responsibility to preserve and honor the natural world.

Published on the feast of St. John of Capistrano