[The Saucepan Man]

Those still in lit classes probably care because when one loves a work, one likes to talk about it, and one would think that it would be safe to do so in a literature class. All too frequently it is not.

I thoroughly agree with you there. Students should be able, without fear of condescension or mockery, to raise JRRT's works in any discussion of literary styles, themes etc to which they are relevant. There is more than sufficient literary merit in the works to justify that, irrespective of whether or not they enjoy literary recognition on a more general level. And, providing that the works are relevant to the discussion and their use is supported by intelligent argument, any teacher or lecturer who, by whatever means, tries to dismiss or exclude them from the discussion is, in my view, displaying a very poor understanding of the nature of their profession.

But the use of JRRT's works in this way does not depend upon them gaining widespread academic acceptance. Nor does it depend upon them being on any course syllabus, which could in any event be counterproductive to allowing each individual reader to form their own views on them.

I care far more how many people will look back on their lives and say, "Tolkien changed me for the better." That, in my opinion, is the true measure of any book, or song or work of art.

Hear hear. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]