literary analysis, or any kind of psychological literary analysis, is that it
doesn't have much to do with the author's conscious intent, and therefore we
have no way of testing our theories. We can spin whatever theories we
want about Tolkien's psyche, but if we have no way to test those theories they
become pure speculation. So I generally try to focus on what Tolkien
intended, even though those theories are also often difficult to
test.
“I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language. (And, of course, the more 'life' a story has the more readily will it be susceptible of allegorical interpretations: while the better a deliberate allegory is made the more nearly will it be acceptable just as a story.)” (From Tolkien Letter # 131.)
Tips for posting in the Reading Room.
