to Shippey. Except where I questioned whether the influence of philology
can be overemphasized, you question whether the influence of World War I can be
overemphasized. It sounds like you consider philology a better candidate
for Tolkien's ruling passion than WWI, and I tend to agree with you. But
I think Tolkien's real ruling passion, subcreation, was independent of his
various sources and inspirations, including philology, WWI, WWII, his mother,
his wife, his children, trees, the English countryside, rural Victorian
Englishmen, fairy tales, C.S. Lewis, drawing, poetry,
etc.
“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.
