Tolkien the Metafictionist

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

It's not just metaphorical versus literal, but spiritually real and true. And by spiritual I mean more than ephemeral ghosts or angels or what have you.

Yes, it's real. Deeply real. Not literal, but real.

Unlike other posters who reply with a level of constipation that requires a heavy dosage of bran to alleviate, I understand where you are coming from.

Like all works of literature that have enthralled us, the immersive nature of the tale was quite overwhelming, to the point where one got both emotional and emotionally attached (and it has to be a damned good book to get me teary-eyed, I assure you). The suspension of disbelief was complete, and as with all great moments of our lives (whether real or imagined), we don't want the feeling to end. We savor each word like fine drops of wine, till the glass is drained dry.

From the standpoint of an eleven year-old reader (when I first read Tolkien), I was rapt and the experience was indeed very real to me. That feeling has remained many decades hence, and colors my view of other literature, particularly works of fantasy.

I suppose it was rather like a religious epiphany, except I am atheist, not a nutbag.