Good post, Lyta.
I have seen this Tolkien quote on friendship come up before, and I think it serves as a good (albeit partial) illustration of his reasoning, especially in light of the fact that the LOTR was not to exceed its standard "quota" of romance.
I disagree with good JRR entirely on his position, of course, but that's another story, and doesn't affect my reading of the book.
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~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~
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