Modes of Interpretation - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Imladris · 12-09-2004, 07:55 PM

According to Dante (at least I'm pretty sure it was Dante) there are three modes of interpretation...and, to make it confusing, sometimes four...but the fourth can encompass the three...

1. Literal: A face falue interpretation.

2. Allegorical: A symbol that is used consistantly throughout a work of literature. For example that is non-LotR (yet very easy to fathom and hopefully one that is non-contestable), the character Christian in The Pilgrim's Progress always represents one thing: a Christian.

3. Symbolic: This varies from allegorical in that one thing or being can mean various things throughout the story (hence this is not to be confused with allegory).

4. Anagogical: This is the confusing one, the one that is most influenced by world view/beliefs. It means, roughly, a spiritual interpretation. For eample, I "interpret" the three divisions of Dante's Comedy as Recognition [of sin], Purgotorio as Renunciation [of sin] and Paradiso as Regeneration [from sin]. However, others can "spiritually interpret" the Comedy as what Dante believed to be what hell, purgatory, and heaven would be like.

And what in Merlin's name does this have to do with Tolkien?

Well, basically how do you interpret Tolkien's works? How do you interpret various elements in Tolkien's works? But in a way it's deeper than that because of the different types of interpretation. Now I know that there have been topics about what you thought about this or that...Hopefully somewhat deeper thought can be generated here.

I am aware that this is discussed to an extent in the Chapter by Chapter discussion forum, but such a plethora of things are discussed there that only the surface is scratched on a good deal of the thoughts proposed.

Let me demonstrate (I'm just using the Silmarillion just because it's "deeper" than LotR in my opinion):

Literal: The Silmarillion is a heinously difficult book about many characters...however, it is about the ultimate defeat of evil. A God-like figure "created" the world, created angelic like figure heads, one which rebelled and the rest of the story is extremely predictable.

Allegorical: Now we all know that the beloved professor hated and despised allegory. Yet...I am sure that there are allegorical themes (just a thought -- did he hate books that were allegorical, or did he dislike allegorical "themes" in mythic books?). For example, the Silmarils themselves, could be a symbol of purity. (Or, for an easier example, the Ring is a symbol of evil).

Symbolical: What is symbolical in The Silmarillion? I'm drawing an absolute blank here, even though I know there is symbolism...it's just that I peer into the mirror darkly and I see only darkness

....well, just to take a stab at something in LotR, could Galadriel's Mirror represent Time? Or could it represent choices? Or both all together (which would, indeed, be true symbolism).

Anagogical: Taking the Tolkien's definition of myth and how it echoes Evangelium, I would have to say that Tolkien believed that there was no free will, and that we are in the hands of a "spiritual" world (the divine if you will) as pawns in a chess game where there is a pre-determined winner. (Ah, cynicism, how I love thee...

)

Encaitare · 12-09-2004, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Allegorical: Now we all know that the beloved professor hated and despised allegory. Yet...I am sure that there are allegorical themes (just a thought -- did he hate books that were allegorical, or did he dislike allegorical "themes" in mythic books?). For example, the Silmarils themselves, could be a symbol of purity. (Or, for an easier example, the Ring is a symbol of evil).

The way I see it, there's a large difference between allegory and symbolism. The Ring being a symbol of evil does not make it allegory, because it's not referring to any one evil. Animal Farm, for example, is blatant allegory which parallels Marxism/Communism and all that delightful socialist business. LotR, as Tolkien says, is "applicable." Now, I've heard various theories about what LotR "really" means, from the atomic bomb to today's terrorism.

I tend to interpret the story literally; I just take it at face value and enjoy it for what it is.

12-09-2004, 07:55 PM	#1
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	Modes of Interpretation According to Dante (at least I'm pretty sure it was Dante) there are three modes of interpretation...and, to make it confusing, sometimes four...but the fourth can encompass the three... 1. Literal: A face falue interpretation. 2. Allegorical: A symbol that is used consistantly throughout a work of literature. For example that is non-LotR (yet very easy to fathom and hopefully one that is non-contestable), the character Christian in The Pilgrim's Progress always represents one thing: a Christian. 3. Symbolic: This varies from allegorical in that one thing or being can mean various things throughout the story (hence this is not to be confused with allegory). 4. Anagogical: This is the confusing one, the one that is most influenced by world view/beliefs. It means, roughly, a spiritual interpretation. For eample, I "interpret" the three divisions of Dante's Comedy as Recognition [of sin], Purgotorio as Renunciation [of sin] and Paradiso as Regeneration [from sin]. However, others can "spiritually interpret" the Comedy as what Dante believed to be what hell, purgatory, and heaven would be like. And what in Merlin's name does this have to do with Tolkien? Well, basically how do you interpret Tolkien's works? How do you interpret various elements in Tolkien's works? But in a way it's deeper than that because of the different types of interpretation. Now I know that there have been topics about what you thought about this or that...Hopefully somewhat deeper thought can be generated here. I am aware that this is discussed to an extent in the Chapter by Chapter discussion forum, but such a plethora of things are discussed there that only the surface is scratched on a good deal of the thoughts proposed. Let me demonstrate (I'm just using the Silmarillion just because it's "deeper" than LotR in my opinion): Literal: The Silmarillion is a heinously difficult book about many characters...however, it is about the ultimate defeat of evil. A God-like figure "created" the world, created angelic like figure heads, one which rebelled and the rest of the story is extremely predictable. Allegorical: Now we all know that the beloved professor hated and despised allegory. Yet...I am sure that there are allegorical themes (just a thought -- did he hate books that were allegorical, or did he dislike allegorical "themes" in mythic books?). For example, the Silmarils themselves, could be a symbol of purity. (Or, for an easier example, the Ring is a symbol of evil). Symbolical: What is symbolical in The Silmarillion? I'm drawing an absolute blank here, even though I know there is symbolism...it's just that I peer into the mirror darkly and I see only darkness ....well, just to take a stab at something in LotR, could Galadriel's Mirror represent Time? Or could it represent choices? Or both all together (which would, indeed, be true symbolism). Anagogical: Taking the Tolkien's definition of myth and how it echoes Evangelium, I would have to say that Tolkien believed that there was no free will, and that we are in the hands of a "spiritual" world (the divine if you will) as pawns in a chess game where there is a pre-determined winner. (Ah, cynicism, how I love thee... ) __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.