Reviews

The International Relations of Middle-earth: Learning from The Lord of the Rings. Abigail E. Ruane and Patrick James. Reviewed by Robert T. Tally Jr Moments of Grace and Spiritual Warfare in The Lord of the Rings. Anne Marie Gazzolo. Reviewed by Damien Bador. The Wizard of Oz as American Myth: A Critical Study of Six Versions of the Story, 1900-2007. Alissa Burger. Reviewed by Hugh H. Davis. Plain to the Inward Eye: Selected Essays on C.S. Lewis. Don W. King. Reviewed by Holly Ordway. Tolkien\u27s Poetry. Ed. Julian Eilmann and Allan Turner. Reviewed by Joe R. Christopher. The Lion\u27s World: A Journey into the Heart of Narnia. Rowan Williams. Reviewed by Melody Green. C. S. Lewis - A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Alister McGrath. Reviewed by Gregory Bassham. Seven: An Anglo-American Literary Review. Ed. Marjorie Lamp Mead. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Supernatural Studies: Official Publication of the Supernatural Studies Association. Ed. Margo Collins and Deborah Christie. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Fastitocalon: Studies in Fantasticism Ancient to Modern. Ed. Thomas Honegger and Fanfan Chen. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft. Wormwood: Literature of the Fantastic, Supernatural and Decadent. Edited by Mark Valentine. Reviewed by Janet Brennan Croft

Romancing the ordeal : representations of pain and suffering in Middle English metrical romances

This thesis concentrates on the representations of pain and suffering in forty-five Middle English metrical romances. This excludes certain Arthurian and non-anonymous material. It comprises an introduction, five chapters, and an index of themes related to suffering, categorizing the suffering theme in metrical romances.The introduction deals with the definitions, authorship, audience, classification, manuscript contexts and indexes of metrical romances, so as to contextualize the current work. The first chapter categorizes the villains and focuses on the reasons for villainy and the nature of domestic and stranger villains, who are inherently evil, have reasons to be villainous, or who act as a catalyst to initiate villainy, distinguishing them from good villains who victimize unintentionally. It also examines how villainies are punished. The second and the third chapters concentrate on female and male victims respectively, and explore the nature and reactions of victims, how victims respond to their ordeals (either in a submissive or resistant fashion) and the representations of self-victimizers. The functions of domestic and stranger relievers of suffering are also considered. The fourth chapter discusses how Middle English metrical romances make use of journeys in the form of enforced exile, self-exile, quest and pilgrimage. The fifth chapter examines how divine interferences and supernatural agents function in the representations of pain and suffering, while paying attention to the significance of dreams in relation to suffering, and the representations of ordeals in the fairy world.The index categorizes the conventional romance characters and circumstances with particular relation to the representations of suffering. It is also intended to serve as a research tool for scholars studying ordeals in Middle English romances, or romances in general

Acedia in the Local Church: Cultivating the Virtue of Charity as a Remedy for the Vice of Acedia

The vice of acedia is one of the greatest challenges the church is currently facing. Acedia lies at the root of indifference, apathy, idleness, and a lack of engagement in the life of a community of faith. Paradoxically, acedia also manifests as dutiful, distracted service that seeks to maintain status quo or personal preferences. Adding to the complexity further, acedia will also produce an overwhelming desire to leave one’s faith community for any other place that promises to meet one’s needs or provide a more hospitable environment for one’s growth. The first step that must be undertaken against this forgotten vice is to describe acedia, name the primary ways it is attacking the local church, and identify the way scripture portrays its effects. This initial exploration is essential to the church’s recovery because of the anonymity acedia currently enjoys. In order to begin to recover from the symptoms of acedia, the church must first be able to accurately name and diagnose acedia. Prescribing a remedy for the vice of acedia will begin with a description of the teleological, teachable, and habitual nature of virtue. From this basic foundation a framework for combatting the vice of acedia and cultivating the virtue of charity will be constructed. The principle components of this framework include a narrative approach to forming telos and identity, a working understanding of habit and habit formation, and a practical introduction to the practices and habits that can rescue from acedia and cultivate friendship with God. Ultimately it is the implementation of a series of practices and habits that will enable the church to equip her members to live in the union and friendship with God and one another we have been designed for, that has been frustrated and destroyed by the vicious effects of acedia

Edsger Dijkstra. The Man Who Carried Computer Science on His Shoulders

This a biographical essay about Edsger Wybe Dijkstra.Comment: 12 pages. Originally appeared in Inference, Volume 5, Issue 3, 2020, see https://inference-review.com/article/the-man-who-carried-computer-science-on-his-shoulder

An Analysis of Gospel Elements in Selected Major Works of Charles Dickens

It is my thesis that Dickens\u27 use of Gospel elements in the works studied is both intentional and fundamental to the themes and structures of the novels. The Gospel elements present are no afterthought or coincidence but significant in Dickens\u27 intent and meaning

Individualised Environmentalism(s): The Deadly Sins of Environmental Organisations

This study utilises the theories of Harold Innis to discern how environmental organisations in Toronto, Ontario are impeded by consumer capitalist biases toward mechanisation, individualisation, quantification, and the price system. It develops a preliminary knowledge base of the environmental organisation community in Toronto. Seventy-two environmental organisations were surveyed and the content on their websites was analyzed using a discourse analysis. Organisations appeared to be highly influenced by the biases of consumer capitalism, exhibiting tendencies towards sway by funding sources; individualisation of environmentalism; describing their actions hubristically; incentivisation and recognition of environmental action; and promoting simple and passive environmental actions. Few organisations escaped these problems, but those that did tended to adopt democratic structures, social justice ideals, and strive for inclusion of unheard voices. The conclusions drawn from this analysis point out ways environmental organisations can and must change to be better mediators of environmental change and challenge anti-ecological identities