|
Post by asdf on Jun 26, 2005 2:06:21 GMT -5
He's of partial German ancestry BTW, obviously by his name too.
Can't say his style isn't crummy, but he's obviously inventive and a great story teller.
|
|
|
Post by Cerdic on Jun 28, 2005 3:25:03 GMT -5
Tolkien was influenced by the racial theories current in his younger days. But of far more importance in his concept of beauty was the influence of his wife's physical appearance. The bulk of the Elves (excepting the Vanyar and those descended from them who were blond) and the bulk of the Numenoreans were described as dark-haired and grey-eyed, which was Edith Tolkien's colouring.
Later writings retract from his earlier rather rigid racial appearances, with more diveristy of colouring being described for most of his races. Some Numenoreans (of Beorian extraction) being given brown eyes, and the Noldorin elves of Feanor's kin being given reddish hair. This probably has some connection with the greater knowledge of human genetics available towards the end of Tolkien's life.
|
|
|
Post by mike2 on Jun 28, 2005 3:28:53 GMT -5
Indeed, he probably had the same racial biases as everyone else during his time, but it's clear to anyone who has read his letters or his work that he was not a racialist. He was much too intelligent.
|
|
|
Post by nockwasright on Jun 28, 2005 4:13:37 GMT -5
Sounds like he was a percursor of multi-kulti and european integration! ;D Well, at least there was Mordor as absolute evil, now Mordor would "have his reasons" and we should "consider his point of view". Reuters will refer to him as the allegedly evil power, or also the "ring fighter". As for LOTR, I liked it a lot when teenager, but real masterpieces are only books that can be appreciated at all ages, imo.
|
|