J.R.R. Tolkien

1. J.R.R. Tolkien's early life shaped his love for language and mythology

He was amused by Alice in Wonderland, though he had no desire to have adventures like Alice. He did not enjoy Treasure Island, nor the stories of Hans Andersen, nor The Pied Piper. But he liked Red Indian stories and longed to shoot with a bow and arrow. He was even more pleased by the 'Curdie' books of George Macdonald, which were set in a remote kingdom where misshapen and malevolent goblins lurked beneath the mountains.

Early influences: Tolkien's childhood experiences and readings laid the foundation for his future works. His mother's early death and his guardian Father Francis Morgan's influence instilled a deep love for Catholicism. The idyllic countryside of Sarehole, near Birmingham, where he spent four formative years, would later inspire the Shire in his books.

Linguistic passion: Tolkien's fascination with languages began early. He was particularly drawn to Welsh, which he encountered on coal trucks, and later to Finnish, which influenced his invented Elvish languages. His academic pursuits in philology at Oxford further honed his linguistic skills and understanding of ancient myths and legends.

• Key childhood readings:
  • George Macdonald's 'Curdie' books
  • Red Indian stories
  • Beowulf
  • Norse mythology

2. Academic career and literary pursuits intertwined throughout Tolkien's life

'I am a West-midlander by blood, and took to early West-midland Middle English as to a known tongue as soon as I set eyes on it.'

Oxford and Leeds: Tolkien's academic career began at Oxford, where he studied Classics and later English Language and Literature. He then became a professor at Leeds University, where he collaborated on scholarly works and began developing his mythology. His return to Oxford as a professor of Anglo-Saxon in 1925 marked the beginning of his most productive period both academically and creatively.

Scholarly work: Throughout his career, Tolkien made significant contributions to philology and medieval literature. His work on Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and other Old and Middle English texts informed his creative writing. He viewed his fictional works as an extension of his scholarly interests, creating a mythology for England that drew on his deep knowledge of ancient languages and legends.

• Key academic achievements:
  • Edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
  • Landmark lecture on Beowulf
  • Contributions to the Oxford English Dictionary
  • Development of the English School curriculum at Oxford

3. The genesis of Middle-earth: From personal experiences to a rich mythology

'I desired dragons with a profound desire,' he said long afterwards. 'Of course, I in my timid body did not wish to have them in the neighbourhood. But the world that contained even the imagination of Fafnir was richer and more beautiful, at whatever cost of peril.'

World-building: Tolkien's creation of Middle-earth began as a linguistic exercise, inventing languages that needed speakers and a history. This evolved into a complex mythology, drawing inspiration from various sources including his wartime experiences, love of nature, and scholarly knowledge of ancient myths.

Personal influences: Many elements of Middle-earth reflect Tolkien's life experiences. The Shire was inspired by rural England, while the Dead Marshes echoed the battlefields of World War I. His relationship with his wife Edith influenced the love story of Beren and Lúthien, a central tale in his mythology.

• Key elements of Middle-earth:
  • Invented languages (Quenya, Sindarin)
  • Rich history and cosmology
  • Diverse races (Elves, Dwarves, Men, Hobbits)
  • Epic conflicts between good and evil

4. The Inklings: A literary fellowship that nurtured Tolkien's creativity

'I have in this War a burning private grudge against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler for ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light.'

Intellectual camaraderie: The Inklings, an informal literary group at Oxford, played a crucial role in Tolkien's creative process. Regular meetings with C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and others provided a supportive environment for sharing and critiquing works-in-progress. These gatherings helped shape Tolkien's writing and ideas.

Friendship with C.S. Lewis: Tolkien's close friendship with C.S. Lewis was particularly significant. Their shared love of myth and Christianity led to mutual encouragement in their writing. Lewis's support was instrumental in Tolkien's perseverance with The Lord of the Rings, though their relationship cooled in later years.

• Key members of the Inklings:
  • C.S. Lewis
  • Charles Williams
  • Owen Barfield
  • Hugo Dyson

5. The Hobbit: An unexpected journey from bedtime story to published success

'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.'

From bedtime story to publication: The Hobbit began as a story Tolkien told his children. Written down and expanded, it caught the attention of publisher Stanley Unwin through a fortuitous chain of events. Published in 1937, it became an unexpected success, laying the groundwork for Tolkien's future works.

Blending of influences: The Hobbit showcases Tolkien's ability to blend various influences into a cohesive narrative. It combines elements of his scholarly interests in Old English literature and Norse mythology with a child-friendly adventure story. The book's success led to demands for a sequel, setting the stage for The Lord of the Rings.

• Key elements of The Hobbit:
  • Introduction of hobbits and Middle-earth to readers
  • Blend of adventure, humor, and mythology
  • Characters like Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf
  • Quest narrative structure

6. The Lord of the Rings: A masterpiece born from years of meticulous crafting

'It is written in my life-blood, such as that is, thick or thin; and I can no other.'

A monumental task: The Lord of the Rings took Tolkien over a decade to write, evolving from a simple sequel to The Hobbit into a complex epic. His meticulous approach to world-building, language creation, and narrative consistency resulted in a richly detailed and immersive story.

Publication and reception: Initially published in three volumes from 1954 to 1955, The Lord of the Rings received mixed critical reception but gradually gained a devoted following. Its themes of good versus evil, the corruption of power, and the importance of friendship resonated with readers, especially during the tumultuous 1960s.

• Key aspects of The Lord of the Rings:
  • Epic scale and detailed world-building
  • Complex characters and interweaving plotlines
  • Exploration of themes like heroism, friendship, and power
  • Integration of Tolkien's linguistic inventions

7. Tolkien's legacy: From cult following to global phenomenon

'Art moves them and they don't know what they've been moved by and they get quite drunk on it. Many young Americans are involved in the stories in a way that I'm not.'

Cultural impact: Tolkien's works, particularly The Lord of the Rings, have had a profound impact on popular culture. They sparked a revival of the fantasy genre and influenced countless authors, filmmakers, and artists. The books have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into successful films, further expanding their reach.

Academic recognition: While initially overlooked by some literary critics, Tolkien's works have gained increasing academic respect. Scholarly studies of his fiction, languages, and mythology have become a field in their own right. His approach to world-building and myth-making has been recognized as a significant literary achievement.

• Tolkien's influence on:
  • Fantasy literature
  • Popular culture (films, games, music)
  • Language creation in fiction
  • Environmental consciousness

8. The Silmarillion: Tolkien's lifelong passion and unfinished opus

'The Silmarillion is the work of a profoundly religious man. It does not contradict Christianity but complements it.'

A lifelong project: The Silmarillion, Tolkien's collection of mythopoeic works, was his most personal and ambitious project. Started before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it remained unfinished at his death. It represents the core of his invented mythology and the backdrop against which his other stories are set.

Posthumous publication: Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's son and literary executor, edited and published The Silmarillion in 1977. While less accessible than Tolkien's other works, it provides crucial background to Middle-earth and showcases the depth of Tolkien's world-building. Its publication has allowed fans and scholars to gain a fuller understanding of Tolkien's creative vision.

• Key aspects of The Silmarillion:
  • Creation myth of Tolkien's world
  • History of the Elves and their wars against evil
  • Foundation for the events in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
  • Showcase of Tolkien's linguistic and mythological creativity

Last updated: August 14, 2024