1) Do you think these parallels are likely to be
echoes of Tolkien's wartime experience? ... Again, to the extent
that there are connections to what Tolkien saw and felt as a soldier, does it
make a difference to you to think of these images from LoTR in this way?
Not only was Tolkien good with words, but he had a wealth of experience to draw
on. Sure, LotR was a fantasy, but just as Peter Jackson was careful to
present a "realistic" fantasy through costumes, sets and acting, Tolkien writes
a "realistic" fantasy story through emotional honesty. When Tolkien
writes about extreme fatigue, hunger, mortal fear, violent death, comradeship
and courage, he can draw on his first hand experience. I think this lends
his story of hobbits and trolls and wizards a certain amount of
authenticity. Most of his 20th C. readers did't know a thing about
swordsmanship or archery or philology, but they do know people and emotions and
could recognize a fake when they read it. When I find something hard to
believe or comprehend (like warriors singing as they slay), I remember that
this is not a story written by Agatha Christie or some young man with illusions
of glorious war, but by a veteran and it helps me to "suspend my disbelief."
Thanks again!
Wanda
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