Quote:
Originally Posted by Bęthberry
Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels? |
Well, it's not the topic of this thread, but I'd like to correct the statement about Tolkien's supposed arachnophobia:
Quote:
from letter #163
... the way was guarded by a Spider. And if that has anything to do with my being stung by a tarantula when a small child, people are welcome to the notion (supposing the improbable, that any one is interested). I can only say that I remember nothing about it, should not know it if I had not been told; and I do not dislike spiders particularly, and have no urge to kill them. I usually rescue those whom I find in the bath!
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I found the spider rescue particularly endearing.(I do the same, with the help of a glass) That's why I remembered this quote.
