Why are Tolkien fans usually left-wing? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 04-05-2011, 10:28 AM

Funny, I was actually thinking about Tolkien and communism today. Saruman's and his minions' rule in the Shire bears a resemblance to the worst manifestations of communism (like Stalin's Russia) with all the unfair sharers and gatherers and the "secret police" etc - but on the other hand the Elves appear throughout suspiciously utopistic communist in the spirit of Marx (can you really imagine them having a market economy and people trading something inside Rivendell or Lórien for example?)

I think Legate is on the right track though with what he said about utopian societies. And surely a lot of Tolkien's world seems conservative, something that is lacking from most political fields today in the form that it still existed when Tolkien was young.

04-05-2011, 10:28 AM	#15
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Funny, I was actually thinking about Tolkien and communism today. Saruman's and his minions' rule in the Shire bears a resemblance to the worst manifestations of communism (like Stalin's Russia) with all the unfair sharers and gatherers and the "secret police" etc - but on the other hand the Elves appear throughout suspiciously utopistic communist in the spirit of Marx (can you really imagine them having a market economy and people trading something inside Rivendell or Lórien for example?) I think Legate is on the right track though with what he said about utopian societies. And surely a lot of Tolkien's world seems conservative, something that is lacking from most political fields today in the form that it still existed when Tolkien was young. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris Last edited by Thinlómien; 04-05-2011 at 10:32 AM.