The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Iarwain · 01-08-2003, 09:34 PM

The subject of the thread has incidentally switched from my original subject to me personally (although, I must admit that I'm quite flattered at everyone's caring behaviour ). I would still like to know what many people might think, yea or nay, as to the existence of mass conventions and other additional attractions for those interested and consumed in LotR. I'd like to make a list of the overly dramatic/normal things I've said so far in this thread, A sort of closing statement. Here it begins:I reguard the idea of international conventions and "quests for the ring" as a frightening thing. I would not be interested in a heirarchy of fans, or mass conventions. The thought disturbs me. Such things take away from the integrity of Tolkien's works. It reduces LotR from higher learning to childish obsession. If we let this happen, I fear I will cease to love Middle Earth. For if others rise up to and destroy it with additions and attractions, all purity will be lost. It will cease to be a scholarly work. It will become as Star Wars and Harry Potter and Star Trek. It will be left a story; a name without meaning. And the meaning is what lies truly dear to my heart. The fans should ask themselves whether or not when the story is made available to the average person as a film, it is not turned into an average tale, and therefore subjected to all of the exploitations of average tales. You must be sure, always, that the Lord of the Rings, a true literary masterpiece is not turned into the accompanying novels to Lord of the Rings, a cinema milestone. We should not allow the spirit of Tolkien's works be overrun by general knowledge and exploitation. Stereotypes, especially negative ones, I reguard as degrading to the novels, and I hope that these will not grow into widespread generalization. And, as "international conventions" and "quests to destroy the ring" would most likely fuel such generalizations, the mere thought of their existence, once again, terrifies me. That sums it all up. Does anyone have anything to comment on?edit: sorry about the double post [ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

01-08-2003, 09:34 PM	#35
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	The subject of the thread has incidentally switched from my original subject to me personally (although, I must admit that I'm quite flattered at everyone's caring behaviour ). I would still like to know what many people might think, yea or nay, as to the existence of mass conventions and other additional attractions for those interested and consumed in LotR. <P>I'd like to make a list of the overly dramatic/normal things I've said so far in this thread, A sort of closing statement. Here it begins:<P>I reguard the idea of international conventions and "quests for the ring" as a frightening thing. I would not be interested in a heirarchy of fans, or mass conventions. The thought disturbs me. Such things take away from the integrity of Tolkien's works. It reduces LotR from higher learning to childish obsession. If we let this happen, I fear I will cease to love Middle Earth. For if others rise up to and destroy it with additions and attractions, all purity will be lost. It will cease to be a scholarly work. It will become as Star Wars and Harry Potter and Star Trek. It will be left a story; a name without meaning. And the meaning is what lies truly dear to my heart. The fans should ask themselves whether or not when the story is made available to the average person as a film, it is not turned into an average tale, and therefore subjected to all of the exploitations of average tales. You must be sure, always, that the Lord of the Rings, a true literary masterpiece is not turned into the accompanying novels to Lord of the Rings, a cinema milestone. We should not allow the spirit of Tolkien's works be overrun by general knowledge and exploitation. Stereotypes, especially negative ones, I reguard as degrading to the novels, and I hope that these will not grow into widespread generalization. And, as "international conventions" and "quests to destroy the ring" would most likely fuel such generalizations, the mere thought of their existence, once again, terrifies me. <P>That sums it all up. Does anyone have anything to comment on?<P>edit: sorry about the double post <p>[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ] __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"