The theme of reincarnation and the concept of Elves being divinely empowered is explored in its fullest extent within Tolkien's legendarium through the character Glorfindel. Edmund Wainwright noted that Glorfindel is the best example of a male Elf in "The Lord of the Rings" who embodies his people's aspect as semi-divine beings given his immense power. Verlyn Flieger noted that the concept of Elven incarnation had been considered by the time of the publication of "The Lord of the Rings" and suggested that being a devout Catholic, Tolkien initially found the idea to be theologically problematic and difficult biology, though he eventually reached a conclusion that "it is a biological dictum" in his imaginary world and its purpose "largely literary".