Man behind the Mythology

[Bêthberry]

Child, fascinating that Tolkien mentions the theme of death in your 1958 letter, for he does as well in the letter I am thinking of.

Tolkien uses the word 'allegory' in that letter.

Welcome back!

[Child of the 7th Age]

She's got it! By Jove, she's got it. (At least I think she does....)

Try again! How about Letter 185, to Joanna de Bortadano in April 1956:

Of course my story is not an allegory of Atomic power, but of Power (exerted for Domination).

And all that time, he told us it wasn't an allegory!

Later in the same letter, he discusses the theme of Death, implicitly contradicting his initial statement:

I do not think that even Power or domination is the real centre of my story.... The real theme for me is about something much more permanent and difficult: Death and Immortality: the mystery of the love of the world in the hearts of a race 'doomed' to leave and seemingly lose it; the anguish in the hearts of a race 'doomed' not to leave it, until its whole evil-aroused story is complete.

[Bêthberry]

In the words of an ancient dialect, "Right on" Mistress Cami!

The fact that we have had some rather long discussions here about allegory and applicability had absolutely nothing to do with my chosing that letter, let me assure you.

Your choice now.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thank you, Mistress Bethberry. Sorry for the delay.

In the year 1934, Tolkien published a paper that is regarded as "required reading" for anyone who wants to understand the regional variations of fourteenth-century English. What specific piece of fourteenth-century literature does this study focus on?

[Rimbaud]

Chaucer, certainly. Reeve's Tale, methinks. A rare case of a philology in-joke.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Thank you, Master Rimbaud. You are indeed fast! The thread is yours.

[Rimbaud]

Thank'ee. But eleven years earlier, what problems did JRRT discern with feline fiddle playing?