Are you a better person?

[Lalwendë]

Am I a better person? That's quite difficult to answer for two reasons: firstly, it's hard to judge yourself in quite that way objectively, so I can only really answer subjectively; and secondly, it was such a long time ago that I first read LotR, that I find it hard to remember what I was like before then! But I did read it at a very important stage in my life and I don;t doubt it was one of the many many things which were affecting and influencing me. I read it as I entered my teenage years, that time when we are all engaged in the struggle to define ourselves and find our place in the world. And I also found a place in Middle Earth. Those years are the perfect years to discover Tolkien, I think, as he gives us not only a refuge from the turmoils we go through, but he has a profound influence.

As I said elsewhere yesterday, I have always been fascinated by history, due in no small measure to my parents' gift of that enthusiasm, but after reading LotR I developed the need to discover more about our ancient history, where we came from and the significance of what remains. At that age I was becoming more aware of the world around me as I tried to find my 'place' within it, rather than just my place within my family (which is what our childhood usually consists of) and part of that discovery was done with the thoughts of Ents and Hobbits and Elves in my head, and I developed a deeper appreciation of nature.

As Child says in her wise words here:

Perhaps if I hadn't been chasing after faerie, I would have become a world renown medical doctor and discovered a cure for some deadly disease . Seriously, I will leave such a broad assessment to the wisdom of providence.

Maybe I would have followed a different path in life if I had not read Tolkien. At that time I was about to decide on what to specialise in at school, and this decision would affect my life. Instead of taking sciences as my father had hoped I might, I took humanities. I would have found it impossible to decide (I was a bit of a Hermione Granger, wanting to learn everything ) if I hadn't been influenced by Tolkien. And eventually his influence led me to daring to apply for Oxford, quite outrageous considering my humble background. I developed an interest in words and language, in poetry, in myth and the myriad of religious and philosophical possibilities.

I would say, all in all, that the act of fate that day when I sneaked into my brother's room and stole his books led me ultimately to becoming a questioning person, often filled with a sense of wonder and magic, and that one act has now led me to much, much more, of such significance that I struggle to comprehend it. If this makes me a better person I don't know, but it certainly makes me a much happier person.

[littlemanpoet]

OK, here’s a question: has reading (and/or re-reading, and re-reading…) The Lord of the Rings made you a “better person”?

- Fordim

Maybe made them aware of such things as nobility and honour and truth, but, in the end, it's up to them to act upon their newfound discovery.

- Imladris

I may feel I am, but that's subjective. Though I do feel I am.

- Heren Istarion

Well, yes, these seem like the humble and objective answers we expect. But I am put in mind of Smith of Wootton Major, in which Smith and little Tim are changed directly by Faërie, and Nokes and Smith's whole family are changed indirectly. Do I equate LotR with Faërie? Perhaps it's as close as you and I can get to experiencing it. The first thing I notice is that, contrary to what Imladris says, and what I thought (and still think) to be a reasonable position to take, the changes that happen to Smith and little Tim happen to them, will they or nil they. None of us, of course, has eaten a piece of cake with a Faërie star in it, but is not Secondarily Believing Middle Earth comparable? Have we not indeed been changed by our experiences? Has it not been for the better?

I compliment us all on our humility, trying hard not to take undue credit to ourselves for good change, but perhaps Fordim is speaking more of the power of the books, and not so much our own limited powers to change ourselves.

So, I'll restate Fordim's question with examples and in the rhetorical negative:

Have you not developed a deeper love of Trees through reading LotR?

Have you not been inspired to write about beautiful things through reading LotR?

Have you not had your eyes opened to the beauty of people different from yourselves through reading LotR?

The above list could go on and on, but perhaps you get my drift. It's an aspect of true humility to acknowledge the positive change in oneself, as well as our indebtedness to a good person or good book such as LotR.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

It's quite interesting to think about. For I used to believe that I had become a better person since reading Tolkien's books, but now I am not sure.

Mainly because it was tied in with such themes as honour and respect and meaning. Especially meaning, and I think this really shone through in The Silmarillion. When I think about it, I wonder why a person with such little respect for religion gets so 'into' Tolkien's story.

My reading of the book slightly coincided with my 'coming of age', so to speak. I first read it at the age of 17, and now 3-4 years later, I am finally quite happy and comfortable with myself. I used to think that The Lord of the Rings had had a big effect on me, but now I can realise that I still do things which may be rather disagreeable to other Tolkien fans! I now think that Tolkien's books were rather a small part of the big picture that is my outlook.


*To note, and I am sorry about the lack of a link, but I am reminded now of mark12_30's 'High: Purged of the Gross' thread.*

[Nimrodel_9]

You know, now that I think about it, I think it has made me a better person.
As lame as it sounds, I often find myself think things like: Aragorn wouldn`t be teasing his siblings, or Faramir dosen`t complain to his parents.
I think LotR has helped me because subconsciously, I think I am trying to be like the characters.

Nim

[Nukapei]

Hmmm, tough question. I guess you really have to define what you mean by "better".

It has definitely improved me in the linguistic / vocab department. I'm no Elvish scholar (I got as far as plurals and threw my hands up in defeat), but the archaic language of LotR and The Silmarillion (I haven't read anything else) have helped me to understand my own language a little better. And it makes Shakespere (sp?) a cinch!

It also has given me a broader outlook on life. It's almost become a game to me, to wonder if 'they' would do a certain thing the same in Middle-earth! I see things now that I wouldn't have before, and am able to look at something and say, 'that makes sense' or 'that's just a cultural thing'. I also (to a much lesser extent!) do what Nimrodel_9 does, say (subcontiously) to myself, '[insert character here] wouldn't approve of what I'm about to do'. But I've only done that once or twice!

It also has opened my eyes much more to mankind's blatant disregard to the Earth and nature. Especially the Elves' attitute toward nature, has made me look at our own and say, 'wow, this is wrong! We're really screwing ourselves up by doing that!' It's stupid, really, how we try to conquer nature instead of just working with it.

Other than that, it's just a good story. I'm not even going to touch on the whole 'I could've been a brilliant medical doctor' issue that Child of the 7th Age raised, but I've experienced no epiphony while reading these books, they haven't inspired me to go out and take archery lessons or anything, and they certainly haven't affected me spiritually.

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

Say, I may not say I'm better person for reading Tolkien, for I do not know what would have come out of me if I haven't - I have only one 'me' to judge, the one who've read it, and I am what I am, if you follow my meaning, kind sirs and ladies.

*nods head in agreement* There is no way we can know what would have happened...there is only what is happening for us to deal with. Can we then really say that we are "better" now that we have read the books? That the changes brought upon by our knowledge of Middle Earth are more acceptable than how life would have been without it?

Then again, I for one am glad I have heard my schoolmates talking about this "Lord of the Rings" book that will be rendered in the silverscreen. Because of this, I have a more passionate love of reading. I have somehow learned to put my thoughts into words. And I have realized that deep inside, I am a true geek, and that I should be proud of it.

Another thing, I have somehow gained insight on how to deal with certain situations. One character that comes swiftly to mind when I think about my life is Eowyn. Maybe in some way the fact that we have dealt with a more-or-less similar "problem" has strengthened me...silly as it might sound, I have realized that I am not the only person in the world going through that experience. (That's how real LotR has been to me.) It does not mean, though, that I look to the books for the proper way to live life or turn it into my personal guidebook. It just somehow feels good that you read something reflective of yourself in a work of fiction.

So am I a "better" person because of the books? I do not know, but they have been so integrated in me that taking them away might tear me into pieces, if taking them away is ever possible.

[littlemanpoet]

It also has opened my eyes much more to mankind's blatant disregard to the Earth and nature. Especially the Elves' attitute toward nature, has made me look at our own and say, 'wow, this is wrong! We're really screwing ourselves up by doing that!'

and they certainly haven't affected me spiritually.

You must mean "spiritually" in a strictly religious sense, because the "opened eyes" and having been made to look and say "this is wrong", are spiritual responses, don't you think?

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Thank you all for the very intriguing responses to my rather consciously 'loaded' question. In particular, thanks to lmp for really bringing out the central issue of "humility" here. As I read through the posts it's interesting to note that pretty much everyone is saying "Yes, I am better for having read the book" but no-one wants to do anything so lofty (or so flaky) as to indulge in self-congratulatory celebrations of how great we've all become.

I, for one, firmly believe in the educative and improving nature of all reading acts, if these acts are undertaken in intelligence and with an open mind. Such an approach, when in response to a text as rewarding as LotR, cannot be anything but a Good Thing.

I am a better person for having read LotR. It has opened my mind, as I said above, to a point of view different from my own. It has given me endless hours of pleasure. It has helped me make any number of improving friendships with other people who love the book as I do (most of them here at the Downs). I don't think that me admitting this is any lack of humility on my part (at least, I hope not) quite the reverse -- I think that admitting to being improved by a book is acknowlegement of all the ways in which I can be improved.

But this leads me to more questions: I am being improved by the book, or am I improving myself in response to the book? Is there a specific kind of Middle-earth improvement that I cannot gain from any other book, or is it merely one pathway among many to the same place? Are those of us who are made better by the book, or who better ourselves in resonse to the book, better in the same way? Is there a bit of Tolkien in all of us, or are we just rising to a challenge presented by the book in our own unique ways?

[Nukapei]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

You must mean "spiritually" in a strictly religious sense, because the "opened eyes" and having been made to look and say "this is wrong", are spiritual responses, don't you think?

Oops! Yes, I guess I did. I'm not into anything "new age", so to me "spiritually" means "religion". I thought being affected "spiritually" meant being more religious because of, I don't know, seeing the way the Valar and Illuvatar interacted with the peoples of Arda? Or becoming not-so-religious because of the role of the Valar et co. making me more inclined to view all religions, including real ones, as just another work of myth? It seems stupid, really, but that's the first thing that popped into my mind. I didn't really examine the thought that much, I was too worried about the nature thing. Sorry!