On Inspirational Comfort Reads...

[dragoness_e]

I have noticed an interesting thing among all sorts of internet folk: in this harrowing time, when it seems like the world is re-enacting the run-up to WWII with the U.S.A. cosplaying Nazi Germany...

All sorts of people have turned for comfort and inspiration to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. He wrote of a world in dire straits, and in a world in dire straits, in which evil seemed about to triumph everywhere, but reminded us that the Shadow cannot last forever, and there are good and beautiful things forever beyond its reach. He reminded us that even the least of people make a difference by doing the right thing; and that hope matters. "Despair is for those who see the end beyond all doubt; we do not."

People also write beautiful fanfiction about hot elves. We all need some hope and escape.

Comments

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Tolkien is a go-to source for this purpose because he's the grandmaster of the hurt/comfort ratchet. Intense conflict is almost always followed by a chance for the characters to rest and relax. This allows the overall tension to go much higher without wearing out either the characters or the audience. So it's more fulfilling and hopeful.

Contrast that with the bad habit of turning the attention up to 11 and leaving it there. People go numb pretty fast.

starspray is a Tolkien fanwriter I follow here on DW.

If you like comfort reading beyond Tolkien, watch for Feathering the Nest, a prompt call by dialecticdreamer, which always has a fluff theme. Folks are welcome to prompt for comfort in any of my prompt calls too. I do a Poetry Fishbowl on the first Tuesday of each month; next up will be February 3 on "Books and Literacy" which lends itself well to that approach. The crowdfunding Creative Jam is mid-month.

Re: Yes ...

[dragoness_e]

I already read starspray's fics; I didn't know they had a DW journal though. Thanks for the tip.