The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - LOTR vs. Scholars, or Academics Can Kiss My As-taldo.

**lindil** · 03-30-2003, 04:42 AM

"you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the lack of a champion for Tolkien"

Having just read Shippey's 'Author of the Century' I feel he is just the sort of 'Scholarly' champion JRRT needs [ though coming from the same chair JRRT held at Oxford he may be dismissed out of hand] but he does a brilliantjob of showing the depths and subtlties of JRRT's many allusions and devices as well as the many overlapping structures imbedded in the LotR.

He does not plumb the depths of Elvish Lore or make much use of UT and HoME, but he is most certainly writing an Apologia in the classical sense, disturbed as he rightly is about JRRT's lack of serious acceptance amongst the 'literati'.

A most impressive work if you have not yet read it and well worth the 13$ asking price.

Lush thank you for sharing your conversation. This kind of thing [along with Squatter's account of his pilgrimage] is what really helps to build both the Tolkien Community but also our wonderous little Downs community as well, much thanks!

I cano not easily check back earlier on the thread to ackowledge by name whomever listed all of the Hosteetter and Flieger and company books, but as far as I have been able to experience them, they are also laying the foundation for a deeper appreciation of Tolkien and Tolkien scholarship.

Luckily Tolkien's works are spread so far and wide and word of mouth sings his praise so highly that he will continue to be effectively studied and loved despite any lack of critical acclaim from the self appointed literary upper-class.

03-30-2003, 04:42 AM	#16
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	"you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the lack of a champion for Tolkien" Having just read Shippey's 'Author of the Century' I feel he is just the sort of 'Scholarly' champion JRRT needs [ though coming from the same chair JRRT held at Oxford he may be dismissed out of hand] but he does a brilliantjob of showing the depths and subtlties of JRRT's many allusions and devices as well as the many overlapping structures imbedded in the LotR. He does not plumb the depths of Elvish Lore or make much use of UT and HoME, but he is most certainly writing an Apologia in the classical sense, disturbed as he rightly is about JRRT's lack of serious acceptance amongst the 'literati'. A most impressive work if you have not yet read it and well worth the 13$ asking price. Lush thank you for sharing your conversation. This kind of thing [along with Squatter's account of his pilgrimage] is what really helps to build both the Tolkien Community but also our wonderous little Downs community as well, much thanks! I cano not easily check back earlier on the thread to ackowledge by name whomever listed all of the Hosteetter and Flieger and company books, but as far as I have been able to experience them, they are also laying the foundation for a deeper appreciation of Tolkien and Tolkien scholarship. Luckily Tolkien's works are spread so far and wide and word of mouth sings his praise so highly that he will continue to be effectively studied and loved despite any lack of critical acclaim from the self appointed literary upper-class. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.