Hmm, a very interesting question. I definitely see how there is some potential for racism here, and i dont know how the characterization of the haradrim, the southrons and those guys, would hold up if the books were written today. I can definitely see how they are rather eurocentric, and yes, all the main free-peoples are probably caucasian looking. But i dont know if this is racist or just what tolkien was used to, he may not have thought of trying to add a whole lot of diversity (and yet there are so many different races!) to the books. So i dont know. Yeah, those commments about the southrons could be a bit offencive. But really, i dont know. It's a complicated and unpleasant topic. Interesting, though.
The only other thing is that i dont feel as if the animosity between races such as elves and dwarves shows a racist attitude on the part of tolkien at all. sure, its an example of racist characters, but its really a rather anti-racist sentiment. Sorry, i just ADORE the friendship that forms between legolas and gimli...i think there's just something really cool about it... [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] It's a nice piece of symbolism and wonderful characterization. OK, im done with my rant now! ill stop rambling!
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"The fire's very cozy here, and the food's VERY good, and there are Elves when you want them. What more could one want?"
-Bilbo
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