In Tolkien’s letter # 309a, it is stated that this book (Smith of Wootton Major) that Tolkien sent a child, Philip Neal, “is not about the same time or country” as The Hobbit. We would know that it is not about The Hobbit, but it is unknown whether it would be based in Middle-earth orRead More
Who created the Hobbits?
It is commonly stated that Tolkien made hobbits a reflection of himself, which could be evident whether intentional or not. “On a blank leaf I scrawled: ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.’ I did not and do not know why.” (Letters) Tolkien’s (generation of) idea of hobbits The first edition ofRead More
Was it fair for the Elves to leave Middle-earth before LOTR?
The Elves leave Middle-earth at different points in time, with the last ship sailing sometime in the Fourth Age. It is commonly asked whether it was really fair for the Elves that leave Middle-earth when the time of war was looming. The most obvious answer was that the Elves ability to leave Middle-earth was knownRead More
Did Tolkien really hate modern technology?
Tolkien is commonly known to have a negative view on technology, claiming that “labor-saving machinery only creates endless and worse labour.” (L # 88) While the actual extent to this view may be oftentimes exaggerated – this is also to be expected since he fought in the First World War, had two sons fighting inRead More
Why didn’t Arwen go to the Undying Lands after Aragorn’s death?
Arwen didn’t go to the Undying Lands because she renounced this ability and chose not to go. However, she would use this decision as an argument for something else at the end of Lord of the Rings. It is commonly noted that as part of the half elven family line, she had the choice toRead More
The meaning of Eucatastrophe and why Tolkien created the term
eucatastrophe eu•ca•tas•tro•phe | ēu-kə-tăs′trə-fē noun the sudden happy turn in a story which pierces you with a joy that brings tears. (J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter # 89) This term was coined during a letter, Letter #89, that Tolkien wrote to his son Christopher. Tolkien starts out by describing an experience he had at St. Gregory’s chapel, after ChristopherRead More