Help a fellow Tolkien admirer by giving me your opinion - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nimiriel · 02-10-2005, 05:51 AM

Quote:

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 · 02-10-2005, 08:46 AM

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.

Quote:

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 · 02-10-2005, 11:29 AM

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 · 02-10-2005, 12:49 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-10-2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

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.

alatar · 02-11-2005, 11:08 AM

Wow! Great posts.

My own personal journey has been(in regards to LOTR):

As a teenager, I was like 'this is just so cool - wizards and elves and damsels - oh my!' A fantasy story with enough testosterone to interest a teenaged boy, yet nothing icky-sticky to bog it down - that love stuff was off-screen mostly.

Later on, I saw that the story had much depth, and so dwelved into the appendices and the Silmarillion to eke out every bit that I could regarding the story, the characters, etc. These books were much different than anything else that I had read.

Still later, I saw it as an example of great literature (something to emulate). Plus, there was a spirituality to it that made a lot of sense, and in maybe a goofy way it had something to say to me. At times I could a see a piece of me in each character, and it gave me a good bit to think about.

Now, I can't wait to share it with my children. I used to rattle off a 15 minute version of the Hobbit to my son, and we've watched pieces of the movies together (then using wooden swords, acted out the same). One day he and his little sisters will find the books waiting for them in my library. I know that none of them may be as geeked out about them as I am, but there's always hope.

Nimiriel · 02-20-2005, 02:19 PM

Thanks to all of you for helping me out. SInce my project is now finished and turned in, I think this thread should be closed, as there's prolly others out there concerning the reason why we love LotR so much

02-10-2005, 11:29 AM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	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. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

02-20-2005, 02:19 PM	#7
Nimiriel Animated Skeleton Join Date: May 2002 Location: Denmark - a long forgotten part of the Great Woods Posts: 37	Thanks Thanks to all of you for helping me out. SInce my project is now finished and turned in, I think this thread should be closed, as there's prolly others out there concerning the reason why we love LotR so much __________________ So says Nimiríel Stardaughter Writing original fantasy? Meet the Wordweavers at Fww Last edited by Nimiriel; 02-20-2005 at 02:22 PM.

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02-11-2005, 11:08 AM	#6
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Wow! Great posts. My own personal journey has been(in regards to LOTR): As a teenager, I was like 'this is just so cool - wizards and elves and damsels - oh my!' A fantasy story with enough testosterone to interest a teenaged boy, yet nothing icky-sticky to bog it down - that love stuff was off-screen mostly. Later on, I saw that the story had much depth, and so dwelved into the appendices and the Silmarillion to eke out every bit that I could regarding the story, the characters, etc. These books were much different than anything else that I had read. Still later, I saw it as an example of great literature (something to emulate). Plus, there was a spirituality to it that made a lot of sense, and in maybe a goofy way it had something to say to me. At times I could a see a piece of me in each character, and it gave me a good bit to think about. Now, I can't wait to share it with my children. I used to rattle off a 15 minute version of the Hobbit to my son, and we've watched pieces of the movies together (then using wooden swords, acted out the same). One day he and his little sisters will find the books waiting for them in my library. I know that none of them may be as geeked out about them as I am, but there's always hope.