Tolkien's Influence Galactic?

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by alatar

We can always play the game that it is the true past, but like much that has been passed down over the ages, has evolved from its true form. And methinks that if it were trumpeted enough, future generations wouldn't know it from real history - many today have a tough enough time not only discerning the historical truths, but also even caring about them.

I can hear Tolkien turning in his grave right now! I bet he'd be horrified if people mistook his work for real history.

However the irony is that loads of our so-called history books are not exactly true anyway. I'm old enough to remember history books stuffed full of the glories of the British Empire and tales of how missionaries brought 'civilisation' to 'savages', with not even a passing mention of the millions of people exploued in the name of the Empire or the native peoples who lost their entire cultures due to Western influences.

So I may as well have been taught that Hobbits really existed.

And Lalwendë, Father Christmas may have human helpers over there, but here in the USoA, he's actually Elvis Presley dressed up. The reindeer have been replaced with a red flying saucer...

Elvis? Elvis?! What do you leave him on Christmas Eve? Your whole Christmas Dinner? And I bet he'd even eat your selection box too!