In a world built on myth, we can’t ignore the reactionary politics at the heart of Tolkien’s Middle Earth
It’s a double-edged magical sword, being a fan of JRR Tolkien. On one hand we’ve had the joy of watching Lord of the Rings go from cult success to, arguably, the most successful and influential story of the last century. And we get to laugh in the face of critics who claimed LotR would never amount to anything, while watching a sumptuous (if absurdly long) adaption of The Hobbit.
On the other hand, you also have to consider the serious criticisms made of Tolkien’s writing, such as Michael Moorcock’s in his 1978 essay, Epic Pooh. As a storyteller Tolkien is on a par with Homer or the anonymous bard behind Beowulf, the epic poets who so influenced his work. But as works of modern mythology, the art Tolkien called “mythopoeia”, both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are open to serious criticism.
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On the other hand, you also have to consider the serious criticisms made of Tolkien’s writing, such as Michael Moorcock’s in his 1978 essay, Epic Pooh. As a storyteller Tolkien is on a par with Homer or the anonymous bard behind Beowulf, the epic poets who so influenced his work. But as works of modern mythology, the art Tolkien called “mythopoeia”, both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are open to serious criticism.
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2 comments:
Good old rear-Guardian. Of course The Hobbit couldn't just be story. Or if more than that, the triumph of peace and civilisation over barbarity. No, Tolkien was always going to be Marx-stepped to his own deconstruction at the hands of a progressive-bound literature. And those Orcs are science ... riiight. My only surprise is the poor old gent hasn't gone down under a screaming heap of Rad Fems yet. Guess that will be the final installment still coming :)
Sorry. As all bloggers know, you can't be responsible for your commenters.
Mrs H and I are off this week to the Sounds, so at some juncture will be incommunicado until I get that house's Internet online - we go there via the bottle store and our favourite winery cellars, so setting up can be a process of days, and the MySky decoder has first dibs on my time.
You've run a great informative blog over the year as usual Graham. All the best for festive season, and look forward to your book offerings in the New Year.
(Another Book show a possibility?)
Thanks Mark. I wish you a great holiday too, hope you have a relaxing time in the Sounds with lots of books and excellent wines. Good luck with getting the WiFi sorted too.
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