some quotes from some folks regarding LotR and its symbolism/allegory:
"Comparison to the Bible, on literary grounds, is not eggaterated since the aethetic that guides both is the same stark combination of mythology and morality that lends the credibility of truth."-Kenneth John Atchity
"I cordially dislike allegory in all its manefestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence."- J.R.R. Tolkein
I agree with JRRT on his thoughts of allegory. In school, I have hated "killing", and "vivisecting" (I refrain from using the term 'dissecting', as my teacher never waits until the book is properly dead.) books. It destroys the work and its good points.
Many authors put symbolism and allegory in their works to show the masses their beleifs and views on issues. Others don't. If an author happens to be dead, and their work a masterpeice, it tends to get split open. I think that no author cannot write without absorbing and including at least a little of the happenings around him/her. They can do it either consiously, or subconsiously. I, myself, think that JRRT included this 'allegory' all subconsiously, due to his adversion to it.
|