Help a fellow Tolkien admirer by giving me your opinion

[Nimiriel]

Thanks to all three of you for your quick responses. I cannot but enjoy the fact that you all confirm my own belives concerning fantasy, and in doing so provides me with the 'proof that the theories are apliable (does that word exist in English?) in general' that my teacher wants me to give her. Thanks guys!

And I eagerly await more replies, and for once DON'T WORRY ABOUT REPEATING OTHERS! I will only be happy to recieve alike answers, thoug of course it'll be enough to tell me you agree with one of the existing posts Can't wait to prove to my teacher I am right and she is wrong

And links to articles about teenagers and fantasy is still wanted... badly

Again, thanks for your help!

[Linnahiril Tinnufinwen]

Just out of curiosity, what is it exactly that your teacher thinks about fantasy? Does she not like LOTRs? Does she not understand that why teenagers would like it? But just as a precaution, please be nice to you're teacher; you can express your opinions, of course, but she has a right to have her own opinions too.

[Mithalwen]

That is true.... also often (and I speak as a former teacher ) it may be that it is not that they object to fantasy as such but they don't want you to read nothing but fantasy - and I know only too well that I can go a long time without reading much apart from Tolkien. Teachers like you to read a wide range. Also, when I was doing A-Levels and started university, I felt that I was "meant" to be reading more "serious" things and I think that attitude may linger... And it may well be that your teacher is not aware that there are some really good writers writing fantasy amongst the rip-off merchants.


However I am second guessing here what her objections may be.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Since this thread asks for opinions, not actual book discussion, I'm moving it to the Novices and Newcomers forum to join the other opinion threads. Please continue reading and posting there. Thanks!

[Nimiriel]

Originally Posted by Linnahiril Tinnufinwen

Just out of curiosity, what is it exactly that your teacher thinks about fantasy? Does she not like LOTRs? Does she not understand that why teenagers would like it? But just as a precaution, please be nice to you're teacher; you can express your opinions, of course, but she has a right to have her own opinions too.

Of course you are right! I just don't like people judging fantasy to be 'nothing but childrens' stories' and not worth looking deeper into than the story of the tale. To me the story is the MAIN reason to read fantasy, but there is no way the author can keep from letting some of his opinions/his view on life/the world show when writing a story. And THAT is what I want to show my teacher: That a story written for the story itself can STILL be interesting to take a closer look at.

Concerning the adolscents love for the fantasy genre she just doesn't trust me, I think, to make a proper analysis. I think she's afraid that I may just say "I like it because it's exciting" or "I like it because it has elves in it"... And IF I write a proper analysis without refertences to others' she'll prolly think I stole it somewhere...

I don't like my teacher, does it show?

But of course everyone is allowed their own opinions on litterature, as long as they don't tell me I don't understand litterature for having mine

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Here's a thread started by Finwe-89: Why do you like LOTR. I don't know if it helps but you might want to scroll it through, anyway.

I think she's afraid that I may just say "I like it because it's exciting" or "I like it because it has elves in it"...

You know, if you have to impress her (is she your english/literature teacher?) you could say that what truly fascinates you in LOTR are the subtle references to Nordic mythology and folklore. Or all the languages and their grammar structure that Tolkien created.

In literature and art in general, it's important that the books you read, the songs you hear and the paintings you see evoke feelings. A piece of art hasn't done its job if it doesn't provoke any thoughts in its viewer. Maybe one way to approach this essay of yours is to think about the atmosphere of the story (or the genre LOTR represents) and your personal experiences as a reader.

I definitely agree with Mithalwen about the escapism thing. When I read the books I feel that Middle-Earth is my world. It's a private place where I can go if life in this world starts getting on my nerve. Another thing that fascinates me is the romanticized culture where true heroes still exist. In LOTR you don't have to be the most handsome and skilled warrior to be a hero, though. You can really feel for the characters and that's what makes the book so real to me.

[Mithalwen]

Dancing spawn has picked up on something that occurred to me after I had finished posting and gone home. At the risk of sounding patronising, adolescents who have less time to become cynical about the world (this I know is a generalisation since many adolescents have already had more to cope with than others will face in their full span) and may respond to the idealism that can be a factor in some fantasy. In LotR there is a cause worth striving and fighting for and the seemingly insignificant hobbits save the world - not only Frodo and Sam who acheive the quest but Merry and Pippin whose intervention, sometime unwitting has crucial impact.

As for your problem with your teacher - the folklore thing seems a good way to go especially given your location. Tolkien was very proud of his Danish origins.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

As for your problem with your teacher - the folklore thing seems a good way to go especially given your location. Tolkien was very proud of his Danish origins.

Danish origins?

Either I learn something new everyday, or this is an error on your part. As far as I know, Tolkien was pretty much pure English, with the exception of that bit which gave him his name, the German-derived Tolkien.

Or do you mean North-western Europe in general? The whole "Northern/Nordic/Teutonic". Or Anglo-Saxon?

Or am I actually learning something new???

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Or am I actually learning something new???

Does that possibility really shock you so much?

I am basing it on the introduction to "The Road goes ever on" where Donald Swann who wrote his settings for Tolkiens' poems with JRRT's full cooperation and approval and who knew him well, said that Tolkien liked to think that the Tolkien name was in origin Danish from Tolkhun. So I mean distant origins ratehr than the nationality of his parents and grandparents.

And by the way you will be pushed to fins someone who is "pure English" Most of us are true mongrels if you scrape beneath the surface ( Although someone did do a survey of my mother's family as being typical yeoman stock...)
Tolkien while being South African born was of British blood .. and Suffield has an English sound.