LOTR vs. Religion - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Rose Cotton · 01-28-2003, 03:40 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>We should all know of what Tolkien thinks about allegory, just read the preface to the book. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yes. Tolkien wanted to make it very clear that his works had no allegory.<P>However, this makes Tolkien extremely brilliant. (at least to me) Because this leaves readers to come up with their own connections to the story particuraly ones that effect them the most. Being able to relate to a story is what draws readers and Lord of the Rings does just that.<P>Over the years people have tried to connect religion and WW2 to Tolkien's books. Tolkien fully denies a WW2 connection and religion only shows up because of Tolkien's own religious beliefs.<P>So I guess if people link LotR to religion then they aren't wrong. Just let them know it's not the only meaning.

01-28-2003, 03:40 PM	#10
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>We should all know of what Tolkien thinks about allegory, just read the preface to the book. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yes. Tolkien wanted to make it very clear that his works had no allegory.<P>However, this makes Tolkien extremely brilliant. (at least to me) Because this leaves readers to come up with their own connections to the story particuraly ones that effect them the most. Being able to relate to a story is what draws readers and Lord of the Rings does just that.<P>Over the years people have tried to connect religion and WW2 to Tolkien's books. Tolkien fully denies a WW2 connection and religion only shows up because of Tolkien's own religious beliefs.<P>So I guess if people link LotR to religion then they aren't wrong. Just let them know it's not the only meaning. __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)