BMEM '08: Your Opinion

[lady_branwyn]

Why are Tolkien's works important? Why are they (or have they been) important to you as an individual?

Comments

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to think of a good answer (or phrasing my answer in a way that makes sense) all day. Here goes:

For nearly forty years I loved Tolkien's works for the richness and depth and complexity of the world he created: the history, the language, the exquisite natural beauty and wonder, the marvelousl heroic men (and, ah, woman).

Now, what has become most meaningful for me is the realization that, though his creation is rich and dense, it's also a framework for that which we create to add to that world. For example, here we have Boromir, who Professor Tolkien has told us was "ever the protector and defender of Faramir." And so here we have [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], who has taken that framework, and spun her own marvelous stories of the brothers as they grew up. Professor Tolkien has given us one snapshot (or photo album, might be more like it) of Boromir in his complexity, his pride and love for his city, and the anguish of his fall and redemption; but we can also work backwards from that those moments, those years, to find the man before he existed in Tolkien's own moments.

(I don't feel like I'm making a whole lot of sense - it's been that kind of a day.) *waves tiny "Thanks, Professor Tolkien, for everything!" flag*