Personally, I don't feel the works influence my outlook, or my daily activities that much. I have used them as a means of escape in times of stress or turmoil before, but I certainly don't see them as any sort of "true mythology" that I look to for guidance.
I am attracted to Tolkien's works because of something innate in my personality. I enjoy archaic language, and I like the way Tolkien writes. It probably doesn't hurt either that I remember The Hobbit and LOTR from very early childhood, so it's something that's just always been there for me.
I am not who I am because I read the books; rather I read the books because of who I am.
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Music alone proves the existence of God.
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