March 25, 2003 (Essay #2)

March 25, 2003

These days it's hard to listen to and watch what is happening in the world we know. War, fear and anxiety surround us and it is difficult at times not to give in to despair. Our world is in shock. These things we see and hear should not be happening but they are. They do happen. It is the way of the world--the primary world we live in.

But there is another world we can go to. It is the Secondary World created by master storytellers. It's a place of respite, a sub-creation where you can enter and, for a short time, forget about the primary world. A wise man once wrote: "Inside the Secondary World what the storyteller relates is 'true': it accords with the laws of the world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside." J. R. Tolkien

So many have found this secondary world sub-created by J. R. R. Tolkien in words and by Peter Jackson and company in visual form. In this secondary world there is also war, despair, death and destruction for it is the way of that world also. But there we also find beings that enchant us, enthall us, romance our hearts, delight our souls and refresh our spirits. And when we choose to return to our world, our perspective is once again readjusted and we understand the way of our world perhaps a bit clearer.

For me there is one residing in that secondary world who is the comforter of my soul when despair and anxiety swirl around me. And his sub-creator, a young actor, manifests his beauty perfectly. There is no other visual for me of Frodo. And I wonder if his special sub-creator really comprehends his part in which he has opened the door for so many to step through and meet the one who knows despair and fear and yet is the bravest of brave. Truly a gift to the weary of heart.

Testimonies have been said and written about the effect Elijah Wood has on people as Frodo. It's really very simple. Serendiptiously he was chosen. And I believe it was just meant to be. Simple. And by sub-creating Frodo Baggins he too has been gifted. For there is no other who has allowed Frodo so deep into his being--to take on the essence of the beloved Hobbit. By agreeing to be his sub-creator Elijah journeyed to a place no one else could go. For that, I truly believe, this young man received a gift that will carry him through the highs and lows of his life in this world. Far to journey does his heart have yet to go but always through whatever the primary world presents to him, he will be able to draw from that which deeply resides in him--the Love of a Hobbit who took him on a journey to a world he will never forget.

We all face uncertainties whether we are young, old, rich and famous or just plain folk. But if we all tap into that place--that amazing sub-created secondary world inside a book or on the screen then just maybe we will all make it 'there and back again'.

"Man, Sub-creator, the refracted light
to many hues and endlessly combined
in living shapes that move from mind to mind
Though all the crannies of the world we filled
With Elves and Goblins, though we dared to build
Gods and their houses dark and light
And sowed the seeds of dragons--
'Twas our right'(used or misused)
That right has not decayed:
We make still by the law in which we we are made." J. R. R. Tolkien


To learn more about Tolkien's concepts of the Secondary World and sub-creation read his essay "On Fairy Stories" found in _The Tolkien Reader_.