#597 Eucatastrophe (Tolkien)
Fun Fact #597
Eucatastrophe
When you think of works of fiction you often see in the climax the hero almost gets defeated, or loses the girl, or any number of other terrible fates only to be saved at the last minute. This literary trope is ancient in origin yet it remained nameless until JRR Tolkien coined the term “Eucatastrophe” in 1939 by adding the Greek prefix Eu- (Meaning Good) to the word Catastrophe. The term is different from “Deus Ex Machina” (“God in The Machine”) as it refers to the unraveling and tidy up of a story’s plot and not necessarily some outside influence showing up to solve all the problems.
Yet this idea isn't just grounded in mere Fiction but in northern France during The Great War (WW1). In The War, JRR Tolkien served as the Signalman for the 10th battalion of Lancashire Fusiliers during the Battle of Somme, 1916. As signalman Tolkien had to continuously stay on or near the front lines to relay messages and –most devastating to him– collect and transmit the Casualty reports. Between The French and English around 3 million Allied soldiers entered the Somme Warzone in mid June, and well over 1 Million (+1,120,000) never made it out after the Battle’s conclusion in July, making among the deadliest battles in Human history. It was just as costly to the Germans who were defending the town having over 650,000 casualties bringing the total up to 1,770,000 casualties. To put these numbers in perspective The Battle of Stalingrad had only 1.2 million casualties between both the Germans and Russians. Suffice it to say The Battle broke Tolkien emotionally and he was sent home after becoming sick with Trench Fever shortly after the capture of Regina Trench.
Yet amazingly Tolkien did not follow the way of most other writers from “The Lost Generation” and instead of writing about gritty realism or mere escapism to flee from the trauma Tolkien made Mythologies which explored the themes which he experienced. Not only did he make good tales, but through his stories he tried to show people that no matter how bleak, how surrounded by death you are, there is a way out. Doesn't matter if you are the greatest of people or so minor no one even knows where you come from, your life matters and things can turn for the better. You just have to search for your Eucatastrophe.
Tolkien In Uniform 1916
As always thanks for reading, I really hope you have enjoyed this week’s Fun Facts. I am sorry to report but as of March 24th I will be temporarily moving to 2nd shift and as such the fun facts will be coming out in the evenings. If you want something to do in your free time feel free to look up The FIRST Robotics Central Illinois Regional Thursday-late Saturday on you tube for the international Livestream where Local team Rockford Robotics will be competing. Please wish us luck. As always Thank you for reading and please have a phenomenal weekend!
