Buzz
For generations, J.R.R. Tolkien has been enchanting readers. His journey into the vast world of Middle-earth began with The Hobbit, followed by the monumental The Lord of the Rings. The immense success of these works opened the door to a breathtaking universe filled with fantasy, intricate languages, and diverse cultures—transporting readers to realms only imagined. Tolkien's passion for language and the cultures it shapes led him to study ancient mythologies across multiple languages, deeply influencing the world he crafted.
While many fantasy tales draw from ancient mythological themes, the mark Tolkien left on the genre is monumental. Yet, even though his stories are widely known, the man himself remains a mystery to many. Tolkien was a fascinating and complex individual, more brilliant and accomplished than most realize.
10. The Impact of World War I
While some argue that Tolkien’s iconic fantasy work was shaped by the events of World War II, the truth is that the story was already in development long before that, and was instead deeply influenced by Tolkien's own experiences in World War I. Like many young men of his generation, Tolkien enlisted to fight in the war. As a second lieutenant and signaling officer in the Lancashire Fusiliers, he found himself entrenched in the brutal realities of World War I. The war brought forth devastating new technologies designed for mass destruction, and Tolkien was caught in the chaotic storm of machine-driven devastation.
Tolkien’s personal encounter with the horrors of war was most evident during the Battle of the Somme, a battle that resulted in nearly a million casualties. Although he fought courageously, he was eventually struck down by trench fever and sent to the hospital. This time away from the battlefield allowed him to reflect on his wartime experiences, which would go on to shape the somber tone of his legendary works.
Though Tolkien consistently denied that his stories were directly inspired by World War I, he acknowledged that his personal experiences during the war undoubtedly had an influence. Middle-earth, much like his own reflections, is a place where hope exists, but it is tempered by immense sorrow. This is perhaps best understood in light of Tolkien’s sorrowful revelation after the war, where he noted that only one of his close friends had survived.
9. The Tolkien Estate
Some fans hold out hope for more Middle-earth adventures on the big screen after The Hobbit, but unfortunately, it’s unlikely we will see The Silmarillion—or anything else related to Middle-earth—adapted for theaters. The issue lies in the agreement between the Tolkien estate and the filmmakers, which doesn’t extend beyond the current films. Christopher Tolkien, who oversees the estate, is not at all pleased with the film studio. Part of the original deal included profit sharing, but the studio argued that due to the enormous budget, they claimed the movie was a loss and, therefore, owed no additional money.
While it’s true the Tolkien estate still benefits from merchandise deals, even these agreements are not without dispute. The deal was meant to cover only tangible goods—no Internet-only merchandise. However, the studio attempted to launch an online slot machine using Tolkien’s source material, which led to a lawsuit by the Tolkien estate.
Beyond financial disagreements, Christopher Tolkien’s dissatisfaction goes much deeper. He felt the spirit of the book was ruined in order to cater to an audience more interested in watching sword fights than appreciating the depth of the story. He viewed the films as offering more of the same, and with him overseeing the estate, it seems unlikely that any future Middle-earth-related media will be given his approval.
8. Accusations Of Racism
Tolkien’s writings have faced criticism for their apparent Eurocentric perspective, as most of the characters are white, except for the dark-skinned orcs, who are depicted as inherently evil. We've noted before how white nationalists have tried to use The Lord of the Rings to promote their ideology, citing the stark contrast of good and evil between races as evidence of Tolkien’s belief in the supremacy of the white race.
However, it's been proven that any allegations of intentional racism on Tolkien’s part are entirely baseless. The association of his works with Aryan ideologies is weak at best. The use of white and black to symbolize good and evil has a long-standing history, and many would argue that this part of the theory is a clear stretch. The claim of cultural Eurocentrism is slightly more valid but ultimately stems from Tolkien's deep admiration for European mythology, which largely influenced his works—he even translated Beowulf and gave dramatic readings of it to his students.
An even stronger counterpoint comes from Tolkien himself. His iconic work, The Lord of the Rings, was gaining popularity and preparing for release in Germany when the Nazis, who were in power at the time, demanded proof of his 'pure' lineage before they would approve its publication. Tolkien, troubled by this request, wrote a letter to his publisher stating that he had 'many Jewish friends' and would deeply regret supporting any racially discriminatory views, which stands in stark contrast to what a racist would say.
Tolkien even wrote multiple drafts of a response for his publisher to send back to the Germans, including one in which he sarcastically expressed regret for not having Jewish ancestry and humorously lamented that, under such racial purity demands, he might soon no longer be proud of his own German heritage. If that wasn’t enough, he famously referred to Adolf Hitler as a 'ruddy little ignoramus.' Although Tolkien drew inspiration from European myths, there’s no evidence that he held any racist beliefs.
7. The Beatles Were Interested in Adapting His Work into a Film
While some people may not be the biggest fans of the Lord of the Rings films or the more recent Hobbit franchise, it’s hard to deny that they were remarkably successful adaptations. These movies were not just popular because of their association with Tolkien; they were masterfully made. In contrast, other adaptations, like the animated version of The Hobbit, didn’t fare as well. It’s intriguing to think what might have happened if we had received a completely different take on the Lord of the Rings films. Toward the end of his life, Tolkien sold the rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit for what now seems like a modest amount—just $250,000—to United Artists.
Once the rights were sold, there was immediate interest in adapting the story into a film. Surprisingly, the first group to pursue this idea was none other than The Beatles, who envisioned themselves in the starring roles of a Lord of the Rings movie (though it remains unclear which roles they hoped to play). They even approached the legendary director Stanley Kubrick with their proposal.
Despite the incredible talents of both The Beatles and Stanley Kubrick, the clash of egos in what would have been a Lord of the Rings vanity project could have spelled disaster. Thankfully, Kubrick turned down the offer, with rumors suggesting that he wasn’t interested in adapting books that were already widely recognized. There are also rumors that the project was canceled because Tolkien didn’t like The Beatles, but since the rights had already been sold, it seems unlikely that this was the true reason.
6. Philology
Tolkien is celebrated as a writer, and his mastery of storytelling is unquestionable. However, his passion for language far surpassed his interest in writing fantasy epics. In fact, language was the central focus of Tolkien’s life, and it played a crucial role in his stories. His fascination with language likely began at a young age. Though he spoke English, his mother ensured he was deeply exposed to Latin, German, and French. As he grew older, Tolkien's passion led him to study languages like Finnish and Old Norse.
The significance of language to Tolkien is immense. As a philologist—someone who studies the history and cultural context of languages—Tolkien viewed language as more than just a means of communication. To him, it was a vital element of the culture that spoke it.
Tolkien’s passion for language went so far that he began to invent his own. He famously stated, 'The invention of languages is the foundation. The ‘stories’ were made rather to provide a world for the languages than the reverse.' This shows that Tolkien was more focused on creating a framework for his linguistic creations than on crafting a bestselling fantasy tale. In fact, while most people know he created two languages (Elvish and the dark language spoken by Mordor's minions), Tolkien actually developed five distinct languages. These included two forms of Elvish (high and low), a language for dwarves called Khuzdul, and a separate language for the Ents.
5. Catholicism
Though Tolkien wasn’t as overt in incorporating religious symbolism as his close friend C.S. Lewis, he was deeply religious—perhaps even more so than Lewis. A lifelong devout Catholic, Tolkien adhered strongly to traditionalist views. When the Catholic Church initiated the changes of Vatican II, including the decision to conduct Masses in English rather than Latin, Tolkien was displeased. He rebelled against these changes, continuing to speak the Latin responses in church, making sure to do so loudly enough for those around him to hear.
Tolkien's adherence to tradition was not rooted in mere obstinacy; he was simply a profoundly devout man who was determined to live according to his beliefs. He taught his son to memorize the entire Mass and many other prayers. Known for his regular attendance at Mass and frequent prayer, he held a particular reverence for receiving communion, which he considered the highest earthly joy one could experience.
As a deeply committed Catholic, Tolkien sometimes knelt for extended periods in adoration before the Eucharist. On one occasion, while in this position, he claimed to have experienced a vision in which he saw his guardian angel. While some may find his religious devotion to be more intense than they are comfortable with, at the very least, Tolkien was a man who lived by his principles. In his letters, he often spoke about the significance of the Eucharist and made a point to attend Mass daily whenever possible throughout his life.
4. Strange Upbringing
At the age of adolescence, Tolkien faced a profound tragedy when his mother Mabel passed away, leaving him and his brother Hilary without parents. His relationship with the rest of his family became strained due to his mother’s conversion to Catholicism, which angered her Protestant relatives. Ordinarily, children would be taken in by their closest relatives after the loss of a parent, but Tolkien’s mother, fearing her relatives would pressure her children into Protestantism, made provisions in her will for them to be raised under the care of a Catholic priest, Father Francis Morgan.
When Tolkien’s mother was diagnosed with diabetes, she moved her family to Hillside Cottage, located on a retreat for priests. After her passing, Tolkien lived with his aunt for a while and later boarded with the Faulkner family. Throughout this period, Father Morgan remained Tolkien’s legal guardian, overseeing his care and well-being.
At the age of 16, while staying with the Faulkner family, Tolkien met Edith, a 19-year-old woman. The connection between them grew quickly, and soon they were deeply in love.
However, Tolkien’s guardian disapproved of the relationship and insisted that he promise to stay away from Edith until he turned 21. With his future education tied to his guardian’s financial support, Tolkien had little choice but to comply. Imagine the challenge of being forced to distance yourself from the love of your life for five years, uncertain whether she would still feel the same. Fortunately, Tolkien’s story had a happy ending—he eventually married Edith, and together they had four children, all of whom he adored.
3. Tolkien And Automobiles
In Tolkien’s earlier years, automobiles were just starting to emerge and hadn’t yet achieved the widespread popularity they enjoy today. Still, Tolkien was intrigued by the new technology and decided to try driving. During one family trip, his car, affectionately known as Old Jo, ran into trouble, with two flat tires and a mishap that saw the car partially crash into a wall.
Unfortunately, Tolkien wasn’t exactly known for his driving skills. In fact, by all accounts, he was quite the chaotic presence behind the wheel. He would often accelerate straight into traffic and, as he charged through, would shout, “Charge them and they scatter!” as if gleefully partaking in a battle with the vehicles on the road.
Tolkien’s aggressive driving style seemed to have an effect, as other drivers would indeed scatter when his car barreled through the intersection. However, after a while, he became increasingly aware of the environmental impact of car ownership and driving. Eventually, he decided that he wanted no more part in the whole affair.
2. Tom Bombadil
Tom Bombadil stands as one of the most peculiar and cryptic figures in the entire Lord of the Rings mythology, which is no small feat given the array of fascinating beings Tolkien introduced in his epic. Some readers have found Tom Bombadil’s presence in the novel perplexing, feeling that his inclusion halted the flow of the story and added an enigmatic element that seemed out of place amidst the adventure.
Peter Jackson, too, shared similar views and decided to omit Tom Bombadil entirely from his film adaptations. This decision frustrated some fans, as odd as the character may be, Bombadil is cherished as an integral part of the Tolkien universe. The reason Tom Bombadil feels so unusual is that he wasn’t originally envisioned as a part of The Lord of the Rings. As mentioned in a previous article, Tolkien also ventured into children's literature. What you might not realize is that Tolkien was creating stories featuring Tom Bombadil for children long before he thought to incorporate him into his grand fantasy saga.
Tolkien was so captivated by the character of Tom Bombadil that, rather than focusing on The Hobbit, he initially considered writing an entire story about Bombadil. This was because Bombadil symbolized something deeply meaningful to Tolkien. Having witnessed the horrors of war in his youth and seen the rise of industrialization around him, Bombadil embodied Tolkien’s yearning to protect the countryside from the encroachment of urbanization, as well as his desire for a peaceful world, untouched by the devastating wars that had marked much of his life. Though Tolkien acknowledged that warriors were needed to confront real-world threats like Sauron, he also believed that the ideals represented by Tom Bombadil were just as vital for the survival of humanity.
1. Disagreement With C.S. Lewis
It’s widely known that J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis shared a strong friendship. Tolkien, a professor with a prestigious position at Oxford, did everything he could to help Lewis secure a chair of his own at the university, although he wasn’t able to make it happen. The two frequently engaged in discussions about literature and theology, and their bond was so close that Lewis was well acquainted with Tolkien’s family. Lewis often received food gifts from admiring fans, which he would gladly share with the Tolkien family whenever possible.
As previously noted, Tolkien had a deep aversion to allegory in all its forms. Unfortunately, this led to some tension between him and Lewis, as Lewis’s works are well-known for their reliance on Christian allegory. Tolkien’s opposition to allegory wasn’t simply because it detracted from the depth of characters or made the plot more about conveying a message—though this was certainly one of his major objections. He also felt that Lewis lacked the necessary expertise to execute allegory effectively.
Tolkien, a devout Catholic, held a much more structured view of religious education, believing that it was the responsibility of proper religious authorities to communicate religious messages. In contrast, Lewis, an Anglican, was completely comfortable with the idea of delivering his message in a forceful manner, ensuring that no one could possibly misunderstand his point. Despite their differences, the two remained friends, though this disagreement did strain their relationship, and it was an issue that was never truly resolved between them.
