Writing style, Hobbit vs. LOTR - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Jessica Jade · 05-26-2002, 08:40 AM

I read some stuff at Sparknotes that I found interesting:

Though Tolkien's world is one of fantasy, he designed it to reflect certain truths about the real world. The Hobbit addresses the problem of determining the "right" way for a hobbit (or any ordinary person) to live. Should he concern himself with great deeds and wars and risk losing the humble perspective afforded by the simple life? Or should the ordinary person never look outside her own quiet existence and risk ignoring the larger perspective that might have allowed her to do great things for the common good? The truth that emerges from The Hobbit is that, if one is called on to play a part in great affairs--as we all are, at least according to Tolkien's Christian perspective--then one should not shirk one's duty. To perform that duty well, however, one must never lose sight of one's own insignificance in the larger scheme of things nor lose respect for the value of the simple life.

That IS a very adult lesson for a children's book!

05-26-2002, 08:40 AM	#24
Jessica Jade Wight Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tirion upon Túna, Atlanta Posts: 154	I read some stuff at Sparknotes that I found interesting: Though Tolkien's world is one of fantasy, he designed it to reflect certain truths about the real world. The Hobbit addresses the problem of determining the "right" way for a hobbit (or any ordinary person) to live. Should he concern himself with great deeds and wars and risk losing the humble perspective afforded by the simple life? Or should the ordinary person never look outside her own quiet existence and risk ignoring the larger perspective that might have allowed her to do great things for the common good? The truth that emerges from The Hobbit is that, if one is called on to play a part in great affairs--as we all are, at least according to Tolkien's Christian perspective--then one should not shirk one's duty. To perform that duty well, however, one must never lose sight of one's own insignificance in the larger scheme of things nor lose respect for the value of the simple life. That IS a very adult lesson for a children's book! __________________ http://www.cadential64.com The musicians had indeed laid bare the youngest, most innocent of our ideas of life, the indestructible yearning for the way things aren't and can never be. ~ Philip Roth, The Human Stain

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