In this episode I discuss with my sister, Dr. Helen Freeh, the nature of the great epic The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Dr. Freeh illustrates how, amidst the numerous depressing works of the 20th century, Tolkien stands as a literary beacon of hope and a prophet of the coming age of struggle in the latter part of the century and the beginning of our own era.

Dr. Helen Freeh received her B.A. in Politics and Masters in American Studies from the University of Dallas. After working in the business world, she entered Baylor University’s graduate program and earned her Ph.D. in English, writing her dissertation on fate, providence and free will in Tolkien’s Middle-earth.  She has worked at Baylor University Press, taught at Baylor University, McClennan County Community College, Hillsdale Academy and Hillsdale College where she met her husband, Dr. John Freeh.  She is a contributor to Tolkien Among the Moderns, edited by Ralph Wood, an occasional contributor to The Catholic Thing, and a Senior Fellow at Albertus Magnus Institute.  She and John are co-founders of Kateri College of the Liberal and Practical Art in Gallup, NM, and are traveling around the country in their missionary motor home, “Tekakwitha,” promoting and fundraising for the College while fulfilling their primary vocation of raising and educating their three children, Theresa, Joseph and John Paul.

We reference numerous works including Tolkien's Letters

#131 https://www.tolkienestate.com/en/writing/letters/letter-milton-waldman.html

and #186 https://clarifyingcatholicism.org/2020/10/27/tolkien-and-immortality/

as well as talking about Tolkien's own life and his time in the trenches including the loss of his friends, The Immortal Four.

Check out Dr. Freeh's newly minted college, Kateri college of the liberal and practical arts, here: 

https://katericollege.org/

And her series of talks at Albertus Magnus Institute here: 

https://magnusinstitute.org/

& check out this great art of the Valar at Etsy: 

https://i.etsystatic.com/11513997/r/il/f2d568/1507004795/il_794xN.1507004795_u9g5.jpg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/588711888/the-valar?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-art_and_collectibles-prints-giclee&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjw_8mHBhClARIsABfFgpjgrBV_jVI75clS_nsQoudh7ahBOzcjDbyNLfXtoQm9gI_tyaF4YmEaAt0jEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_1844702583_72372896360_346428993098_pla-354814757658_c__588711888_12768591&utm_custom2=1844702583&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_8mHBhClARIsABfFgpjgrBV_jVI75clS_nsQoudh7ahBOzcjDbyNLfXtoQm9gI_tyaF4YmEaAt0jEALw_wcB

The Patreon Page:

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=21129179