If you could meet Tolkien . . . - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Merri · 08-12-2002, 04:51 PM

I've been thinking about this lately. If you could meet J.R.R. Tolkien, what would you say? (This requires some imagination, of course, since he died in the 70's . . . unless you were actually there and met him, in which case, I'm terribly envious of you)

I think I'd just stammer incoherently for a few seconds, thank him for creating such a wonderful series and a such a magnificent magical world, and then I'd run away, terribly embarrassed and flustered and flabbergasted, screaming, I've met Tolkien, I've met Tolkien! Over and over again in my head. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ]

Durialion · 08-12-2002, 05:26 PM

I think I would probally ask him if he were going to write more books and talk with him about his books. I would tell him the parts I liked and parts I did'nt. I too would be embarrassed.

08-12-2002, 10:00 PM

My reaction would be similar to yours Merri....but I'd probably pass out before I had a chance to run around yelling "I've met Tolkien"

The Silver-shod Muse · 08-13-2002, 10:08 AM

I would probably not say much, just shake his hand and try to make friendly conversation, seek some advice on writing and ask him how "Jack" (C.S.) Lewis was getting along.

Here's a thought: what if you were his student when he was a professor at Oxford?

Elenna · 08-13-2002, 10:17 AM

If I met him, I would probably just congratulate him on the success of his book, ask him where he got the ideas, inquire after the family...

And then I would go home and call all of my friends to brag about meeting Tolkein.

Merri · 08-13-2002, 10:22 AM

OOohh, wow, if I were his student. I wish! Although sometimes geniuses aren't great teachers, take John Nash, for example. Although I'm sure Tolkien would have been a great teacher . . .

Wait a minute. How is C.S. Lewis related to Tolkien? I obviously missed something . . . .

Agh! I found the One Ring and the Evenstar pendant on the Barrowdowns store . . . and my mom won't let me get one or the other until she sees my score for the PSAT . . . *whines and grumbles about life being unfair, then goes on drooling at the Evenstar pendant* [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

[ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ]

The Silver-shod Muse · 08-13-2002, 11:02 PM

Tolkien and Lewis were good friends for many years when they were profs together at Oxford. They were both members of a little group called the Inklings that met at a pub to discuss their literary works. If you're interested, there are a few good threads around here on their relationship and how it affected Tolkien's rendition of Sam and Frodo's friendship.

Lewis and Tolkien are the two authors I hold in the highest esteem, and I would as much love to meet Lewis as I would Tolkien.

the phantom · 08-14-2002, 02:17 AM

When I was younger, I met an author, Brian Jaques, at a book signing. I was a pretty big fan of his books, and when I got to talk to him, I believe my words were "Your books are cool" and then my brain froze up completely and I stood there with a grin on my face.
Who knows what I'd do if I met Tolkien? I love his books more than almost anything, even more than sports. I would probably just slip into a dazed coma, happy and content just to have looked upon the master himself.

**lindil** · 08-14-2002, 06:22 AM

I would [ I hope] get down on my knees and

beg him to finish the Silmarillion
make it as large as he has imagined it to be
keep the pre-numenoreanless world flat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
forget writing letters to all of those folks until the Silmarillion is finished.
Don't worry about an elvish glossary/dictionary till the Silmarillion was finished!
please finish the Silmarillion

Of course I would prob go brain dead like everyoneelse, but assuming I didn't. Those are the words I would use to make a fool of meself.

08-12-2002, 04:51 PM	#1
Merri Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 225	If you could meet Tolkien . . . I've been thinking about this lately. If you could meet J.R.R. Tolkien, what would you say? (This requires some imagination, of course, since he died in the 70's . . . unless you were actually there and met him, in which case, I'm terribly envious of you) I think I'd just stammer incoherently for a few seconds, thank him for creating such a wonderful series and a such a magnificent magical world, and then I'd run away, terribly embarrassed and flustered and flabbergasted, screaming, I've met Tolkien, I've met Tolkien! Over and over again in my head. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ] __________________ Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon. -Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card.

08-12-2002, 05:26 PM	#2
Durialion Animated Skeleton Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lothlorien Posts: 42	I think I would probally ask him if he were going to write more books and talk with him about his books. I would tell him the parts I liked and parts I did'nt. I too would be embarrassed. __________________ Durialion the High Elf "I wish the ring had never come to me and this adventure had never happened." Frodo "So do all who live to see these times, but you have to decide what to do when the time comes." Gandalf

08-13-2002, 10:08 AM	#4
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	I would probably not say much, just shake his hand and try to make friendly conversation, seek some advice on writing and ask him how "Jack" (C.S.) Lewis was getting along. Here's a thought: what if you were his student when he was a professor at Oxford? __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

08-13-2002, 10:17 AM	#5
Elenna A Ghostly Light Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: My private bubble of innocence Posts: 563	If I met him, I would probably just congratulate him on the success of his book, ask him where he got the ideas, inquire after the family... And then I would go home and call all of my friends to brag about meeting Tolkein. __________________ If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "God is crying." And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

08-13-2002, 10:22 AM	#6
Merri Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 225	OOohh, wow, if I were his student. I wish! Although sometimes geniuses aren't great teachers, take John Nash, for example. Although I'm sure Tolkien would have been a great teacher . . . Wait a minute. How is C.S. Lewis related to Tolkien? I obviously missed something . . . . Agh! I found the One Ring and the Evenstar pendant on the Barrowdowns store . . . and my mom won't let me get one or the other until she sees my score for the PSAT . . . whines and grumbles about life being unfair, then goes on drooling at the Evenstar pendant [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: Merri ] __________________ Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon. -Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card.

08-12-2002, 10:00 PM	#3
Princess Arwen Guest Posts: n/a	My reaction would be similar to yours Merri....but I'd probably pass out before I had a chance to run around yelling "I've met Tolkien"

08-13-2002, 11:02 PM	#7
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	Tolkien and Lewis were good friends for many years when they were profs together at Oxford. They were both members of a little group called the Inklings that met at a pub to discuss their literary works. If you're interested, there are a few good threads around here on their relationship and how it affected Tolkien's rendition of Sam and Frodo's friendship. Lewis and Tolkien are the two authors I hold in the highest esteem, and I would as much love to meet Lewis as I would Tolkien. __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

08-14-2002, 02:17 AM	#8
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 6,121	When I was younger, I met an author, Brian Jaques, at a book signing. I was a pretty big fan of his books, and when I got to talk to him, I believe my words were "Your books are cool" and then my brain froze up completely and I stood there with a grin on my face. Who knows what I'd do if I met Tolkien? I love his books more than almost anything, even more than sports. I would probably just slip into a dazed coma, happy and content just to have looked upon the master himself. __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.

08-14-2002, 06:22 AM	#9
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,681	I would [ I hope] get down on my knees and beg him to finish the Silmarillion make it as large as he has imagined it to be keep the pre-numenoreanless world flat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! forget writing letters to all of those folks until the Silmarillion is finished. Don't worry about an elvish glossary/dictionary till the Silmarillion was finished! please finish the Silmarillion Of course I would prob go brain dead like everyoneelse, but assuming I didn't. Those are the words I would use to make a fool of meself. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.