This is a rather intense thread and I don't know if what I can add is of any value to your paper but I will try to explain how Tolkien's writing helped me.
I grew up in a tiny hamlet on the border between Northumberland and Durham (counties in the very north of England) and therefore had no playmates outside of school. This is not so much of a problem when you are a small child but as I reached my teenage years I discovered I had poor social skills and rather eccentric behaviour. (Added to this the usual hang ups that teenagers have). I have always been a reader and an artist and began reading CSLewis, then Alan Garner and finally Tolkien, beginning with the Hobbit. I would walk down the lane from my parents house and sit on a stile in the wood or by the stepping stones in the river and read on spring or summer days. I soon slid into Middle Earth and allowed my imagination free rein in a world where I was not bullied for 'talking posh', 'being clever', 'unfashionable','ugly','odd'or any of the usual. I was never sucidal. (One of my friends (I did make a handful) was and eventually succeeded) and I think it was the ability to 'lose myself in a book' as they used to say that kept me sane. I never gave up because my 'friends' in Middle Earth never gave up. I would go to university and stuff. I would do the things I wanted with my life. I can't say my inner strength comes completely from Middle Earth but it helped. It gave me an escape when life was tricky, like some people use religion but not as intensely. I am now happy with my eccentricity, using my imagination to earn my money (but never writing fantasy because that would be wrong)and with a nice circle of friends who accept me. I don't know if that is any use to you in your paper, it's very general but there you go. The only problem is I rather miss the Fellowship now I feel like they sailed away to the Grey Havens when I was 19 and left me like Sam to cope alone. Luckily I do very well.
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Auriel
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