I wrote a few weeks ago about how much I loved Tolkien’s world of Middle earth (heck, today I was pondering a few computer games where I could enter the world as a player). As I shared already, I think most of what draws me is the underlying Christianity of Tolkien. Not in a “in your face” kind of way…Tolkien was clear that there was no allusion to discover in his writing. No one in the tales is Jesus. And yet, the faith of the author is there, and he works to present several key aspects of how he viewed the world, from the aspect of “good vs evil” to the magic of grace.
Well, when I saw the last installment of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, this reality of Tolkien’s worldview was present again. Again, I was tearful as the end of the story came into view, and in particular, with one deep expression of confession and forgiveness portrayed. Now, it’s been about three weeks since the movies came out, so if this is a spoiler to you….and come on, the books have been in print since 1937! But, just in case…..<spoiler alert>:
The lead dwarf, Thorin Oakenshield dies in the end. Yes, it is tragic. And, just as in the death of Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring, Jackson has masterfully made you care more deeply than I ever did while reading the book. In some ways, with Thorin’s death, as a reader you feel like he had it coming. Leading up to the final major battle, Thorin has shown a stubbornness that has brought great risk not only to the endeavor to take back the mountain, but to the very lives of his friends and kin. Tolkien explains this saying that “Long hours in the past days Thorin had spent in the treasury, and the lust of it was heavy on him” so that eventually, Thorin no longer was willing to be fair, even later threatening Biblo’s life.
Bilbo had attempted to avoid war by using a tremendously valuable jewel as leverage with the warring parties of Dwarves, Elves and Men, but to no avail. In the attempt, Thorin said that “no friendship of mine” was given to Bilbo. Now, you have to remember the entire story to see the injustice of this. Bilbo had saved the expedition on more than one occasion and it can be fairly said that had Bilbo not been with the dwarves, then they would have never even made it to the mountain, let alone gotten possession of it. The other dwarves did remember, however, and as Bilbo left the group, sent away by Thorin, Tolkien writes that “in their hearts felt shame and pity at his going.” Even so, Thorin couldn’t let him go without one last curse, threatening to shoot arrows at the hobbit’s feet unless he left immediately.
All of this sets the scene for the end, when Thorin dies at the hand of the lead orc enemy. Later, he and Bilbo have one more conversation, as he lay dying (in the movie, this happens on the battlefield while in the book it happens after the battle is over). Thorin, with dying breath, confesses his sin against Biblo, saying, “I wish to part in friendship from you, and I would take back my words and deeds at the Gate.”
Biblo, of course, could have simply refused to be graceful. I mean, isn’t that how so many people act these days? Full of anger, recrimination and a determination to get even? Not the hobbit…Bilbo forgives the king with grace and mercy.
Sitting in the theater, watching the two actors masterfully portray this confession and forgiveness, I was struck yet again with how well Tolkien crafted this world. Mostly, though, I was struck by how powerful these paired actions are. For so many, they get stuck at either spot. They can’t bring themselves to admit they were wrong and that they need to confess their actions, ask for forgiveness. Others, they can’t take the next step of giving forgiveness to “the other.”
Be quick to admit error, and if you harm another, whether in word or deed, be swift to confess the issue, working to bring reconciliation. Don’t hold onto pride, rewriting the narrative of the event in a way to make your words or deeds not quite as offensive. Don’t look to twist things in a way that tries to create a “good reason” for your actions. Just admit the error, confess the sin and ask for forgiveness.
In the same way, be quick to extend forgiveness. We each need grace and mercy given to us for our actions, thus offer them to others. Jesus said to “turn the other cheek” and in a broadly stated way, this is the way of grace and forgiveness. This doesn’t mean to act as if the other person hasn’t hurt you…they certainly have. Thorin really did say the hurtful things to Bilbo. Yet, forgiveness moves past it when the other person confesses, seeking to make right.
As the new year unfolds, this could be the most powerful resolution you should take in life.