Allegorical tales?

I'm new here, so forgive me if this has been discussed before.

I remember reading many years ago that Tolkien never intended "The Hobbit" or "The Lord of the Rings" as allegorical tales. (A lot has probably been written about this more recently, but I haven't seen it.)

I'm wondering if anyone has interpreted his works as allegories, and if so, in brief, what was your interpretation.