The word eucatastrophe (good catastrophe) was coined by J.R.R. Tolkien to describe what he believed was the essence and highest function of fairy-stories.
It is the sudden, unexpected joyous turn.
Tolkien explains, “In such stories when the sudden ‘turn’ comes we get a piercing glimpse of joy, and heart’s desire, that for a moment passes outside the frame, rends indeed the very web of story, and lets a gleam come through” (‘On Fairy-Stories’, 61).
Our latest content:
A Star of Hope
An exceptionally lovely moment of hope returning unexpectedly is found in The Return of the King, in the chapter “The Land of Shadow.” Frodo and Sam have passed into Mordor, wearily and with great struggle, after a brief respite and replenishment in Ithilien. Sam,...
Mad Hope
Hope is manifested in many forms. One moment, hope is presented as a nagging insistence that cannot be dismissed, or perhaps a wild rush of emotion coupled with fear, or maybe a shying away from the notion that it could be too could to be true. Or it might come in its...
Despair or Folly?
Despair? 'Despair or folly?' said Gandalf. 'It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.' How can we dismiss such words from one of the Wise? We can because there was so much at stake. The rediscovery of the One Ring was a great,...
Eucatastrophe: The Ascension of Boromir
The Lord of The Rings is filled with innumerable examples of eucatastrophe. Just as Evil looks to strike the fatal blow, the fate of Middle-earth is saved by a small moment of courage, love, and kindness for friends and home, or extraordinary sacrifice from ordinary...
Call for entries – July 2020
July's theme is: Appreciating Beauty & Wonder In anticipation of our July content, the essay question is: In your estimation, what scene, dialog between characters, or some other special event in Tolkien’s Legendarium impresses you as most wonderfully beautiful?...
Discover Hope in Tolkien’s Tales
Every direction we look, people are hungry for hope. I know numerous friends and family—as do you—whose lives have been turned upside down by the Covid-19 crisis. Our planet’s pandemic has triggered an avalanche of further dreadful outcomes. Collapsing economies....
Discover Hope!
June 2020 theme: Discover HopeEvery direction we turn during these difficult days, people are hungry for hope. Fortunately, for those of us in the Eucatastrophe fellowship, Tolkien’s tales deliver great helpings of hope. That’s why June’s theme is “Discover Hope!” Get...
Arwen’s Apple Wheat Muffins
Since it’s May and we are hearkening back to the Creation in The Silmarillion, I thought I would share a recipe that would please a Valar such as Yavanna, the giver of fruits. Where would any of us be without her gifts? These muffins are filled with fruit, nuts,...
For the Love of Middle-earth Music
Eurielle From an idyllic, leafy Yorkshire upbringing and a lifetime dedicated to classical training comes Eurielle. To date, Eurielle has built up a substantial catalogue of releases which have attracted a large fan base online, with millions of views and streams of...
