Are Tolkien Books Racist? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ithilwen · 01-25-2002, 11:31 AM

In his works, Tolkien was deliberately trying to create a mythology for England, so he intentionally set his tales in a land reminiscent of northern Europe, featuring Caucasian humans. And although the non-European humans get short schrift in LOTR, he does make a point of showing in the Silmarillion that they are not all evil; several Easterling tribes (Bor and his sons) become allies of the elves. But I can certainly see why some readers (in our more PC times) might be uncomfortable with his work.

01-25-2002, 11:31 AM	#7
Ithilwen Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: western Arda Posts: 41	In his works, Tolkien was deliberately trying to create a mythology for England, so he intentionally set his tales in a land reminiscent of northern Europe, featuring Caucasian humans. And although the non-European humans get short schrift in LOTR, he does make a point of showing in the Silmarillion that they are not all evil; several Easterling tribes (Bor and his sons) become allies of the elves. But I can certainly see why some readers (in our more PC times) might be uncomfortable with his work. __________________ And thus it came to pass that the Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of heaven, and one in the fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.