‘Canonicity’: the Book or the Reader?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by davem

SpM I'm saying, as far as possible we must empty our minds, listen to that author as carefully as possible, take in what he/she has to say to the best of our ability, understand as far as we can theirwhole message, what they want to communicate to us, & then make a judgement on it, 'infect' it with our own baggage, etc.

Why must we? Are you talking about everyone who reads LotR, those who are interested in delving further than the text, or just those who are interested in having this discourse with the author?

Originally Posted by davem

(& whether you, or Aiwendil or Bethberry realise it, that's the position I adopt in regard to your posts on this thread )

But you are primarily, if not solely, relying on the text of what we have posted.