Tolkien's Battles - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

greyhavener · 07-24-2002, 09:59 AM

It's interesting how Tolkien blended realism and fantasy in his battle scenes. Like so many who have been to war he captured the panic and self-preservation felt by the combatants along with the grisly misery. As a writer of an epic work his characters performed like heroes and evil was defeated, yet Tolkien's characters demonstrated more battlefield realism in their attitudes than most of those selfless larger-than-life epic heroes.

The best battlefield description I've read recently was in "Flags of Our Fathers" an account of Iwo Jima. Nothing is more chlling than real life...that's why I read alot of fantasy.

07-24-2002, 09:59 AM	#18
greyhavener Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: austin Posts: 169	It's interesting how Tolkien blended realism and fantasy in his battle scenes. Like so many who have been to war he captured the panic and self-preservation felt by the combatants along with the grisly misery. As a writer of an epic work his characters performed like heroes and evil was defeated, yet Tolkien's characters demonstrated more battlefield realism in their attitudes than most of those selfless larger-than-life epic heroes. The best battlefield description I've read recently was in "Flags of Our Fathers" an account of Iwo Jima. Nothing is more chlling than real life...that's why I read alot of fantasy. __________________ Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8