There's a reflective air about the quote; the date of 1954 helps me understand Tolkien's words a little bit. By this point the books had been written and at least the first one had been published. My dates are a little rusty.
Not having the context of the quote, I can't say much for sure. In any case, agreeing with Gandalf the Gray on humility, I see Tolkien as looking back on what he had written, thinking about it, and acknowledging that this aspect was part of what went into the writing of it. Perhaps it was the first time he had put it in these kinds of words for himself, so it could have been a bit of self-discovery. Being a private person, and humble, I can imagine JRRT not wanting to let the letter see the light of day.
I remember times when I was not doing well, engaged in self-damaging activities, thinking of lotr and realizing how orcish I was being, how definitily un-Sam-like. Not that I suddenly stopped the poor attitude and behavior, but I remember it having given me pause, and having added to a general sense of "I really don't want to stay this way". So I guess in a way the ideals have helped me, somewhat, on a day to day basis.
More importantly, lotr was formative in my development. It gave me hope when as a teenager I found very little hope anywhere.
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