Although the prof seems to have vacillated frequently between his devotion to Middle-earth and his black fear that it was all one big waste of time, I think in the end he would have approved of the extensive conversation his work has generated. Skimming through Letters, it’s easy to see that Tolkien was possessed (no less than any other writer) of a certain measure of vanity about his work and the various sorts of attention paid to it. You also don’t have to point out any one particular letter – just hand someone the book – to show that Tolkien himself was into conversing at length about the details, nuances, and deeper meanings of his work. And after all, the LotR and the wider Legendarium represent his life’s work, and so are in a unique position in literature – they’re dense with invention, subtext, detail, humor, profundity, and mystery, and are perfect fodder for the sort of long-winded analyses we like to indulge here. This is not to say that he would have approved of the conclusions drawn by some posters – auxiliary entrance/loading dock at Khazad-dûm, indeed! Hear that rattling sound? It’s the good professor turning over in his grave.
Tirned Tinnu, you’re not fooling anyone. That little Star Trek-geek lampoon was a bit too informed. It’s okay if you want to save money and let your Vulcan ears double as Elf ears – we won’t tell. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
[ September 09, 2002: Message edited by: Mister Underhill ]
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