Why does LOTR need to be so dark?

[Tim]

Well, here's my answer: http://bit.ly/FTH73Z

What do you think?

[Nathaniel]

Very well written and well reasoned article. One of the few points you missed is a fairly simple observation, and that's Tolkien's audience. Tolkien wrote his fantasy books primarily for his children, starting with The Hobbit. When The Lord of the Rings was written, his children weren't children anymore, and the growth of maturity in his books reflects that. Tolkien's stories changed with his audience. Darker story for an older audience.

[[deleted user]]

Read the longer version of the article. Le Grande Meaulnes is an amazing novel and should be more widely read.

[Tim]

Thanks for reading everybody, I appreciate it. @macgregor, you're right about Le Grande Meaulnes. I have to admit it was John Fowles who put me onto that book - another great writer. There will be a breakdown of his wonderful novella "The Ebony Tower" coming up on the blog, so stay tuned.

(You might especially appreciate that novella @macgregor, as it addresses the tension between theory-based criticism and creativity.)

[[deleted user]]

Tim wrote: "Thanks for reading everybody, I appreciate it. @macgregor, you're right about Le Grande Meaulnes. I have to admit it was John Fowles who put me onto that book - another great writer. There will be ..."

Oh Fowles and I are good friends already. Absolutely adore Fowles.

[Dave]

I must admit this was not what I expected this thread to contain! An excellent article I thought. I agree completely and will have to check out the other literature you have mentioned.

[Tim]

Thank you, Dave, I appreciate your kind words. If you like this kind of thing, keep checking the blog (http://bit.ly/FTH73Z ). There will be posts upcoming every 1-2 weeks examining the storytelling genius of George R.R. Martin, Hemingway, John Fowles, Robert Stone, and many other authors.

[Paul]

Interesting article. One of many. I look forward to your views on GRRM.

I agree with the idea that you need a mix of both light and dark, and perhaps the intensity of both needs to be matched, and so LOTR is so dark in places because it is so light in others.

I think the extremes are even greater in The Silmarillion where the degree of tragedy and hope and goodness are even greater.

[Tim]

Thanks Paul. I very much appreciate the feedback. GRR Martin will be a two-part post, the first coming out on 4/1.