I like Garth's suggestions of parallels to WWI. The difference, as I said
in the first thread, is the response of the free peoples of Middle-earth, who
despite temptation shun the weapons and tactics of the Enemy. And this
response resonates for us even if we have not engaged in trench warfare or any
warfare -- perhaps all the more so if we have not engaged in warfare. We
would like to think that if faced with such horrors, we would respond like
Gandalf or Aragorn or, more realistically, like Frodo or Sam or Merry or
Pippin. Those who have actually faced such horrors might not be so
optimistic.
“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.
