[The Saucepan Man]

Too analytical, Iarwain? For the Books forum? Surely not. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I seem to recall reading that JRRT specifically disavowed any intention to portray LotR as an allegory of World War II, which interrupted his writing of it. But, since he was involved in both World Wars, it is hard to believe that he wasn't affected by his experiences of them, and this is bound to show through in his writings. I have seen comments on other threads analysing whether we might divine his attitude towards war in LotR. Certainly, war is not glorified. It is depicted as something necessary - brought upon the free peoples of ME by a seemingly overwhelmingly evil force. But, it is also shown to be brutal - horrific things happen and people die. I always thought that the listing of those who fell at Helms Deep, and especially Pelennor Fields, to be very poignant.

Did JRRT see himself as Gandalf? Well, I believe that there are some who say that he intended Tom Bombadil to represent him. I hope not. Gandalf is such a better role model! I am sure that he identified with Gandalf, because he is such a sympathetic character. But I'm sure that he identifed with many of the characters - Bilbo, Frodo, even Denethor (there is weakness in all of us). He did create them, after all.

As for the significance of numbers - I am sure that beliefs concerning the power of numbers did not escape him. I believe that 1, 3, 7 and 9 (the numbers of the Rings of Power) are all consdidered to be significant numbers - but, then, I'm no numerologist. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]