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I believe that neither in the realm of "personal experience" nor of "reader consensus" will we ever be able to come up with a finite definition of LOTR which could be described as "THE" Meaning. The never-ending desire in all of us for certainty, to be able to say "this, and not that," is something that is rarely satisfied on this side of eternity.
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It is interesting that the natural tendency of Man is to attempt to reduce everything to ONE. Or even 42...
I've taken a rain check from the 'Canonicity' thread , although I can't help reading it from time to time to see how the boat is swaying today. Honestly, if the meaning is in authorial intent, then it is NOT in reader experience? This would posit only one meaning and only one place it could be. Perhaps we can apply Heisenberg's theory to this question and then admit we can't find the meaning for looking for it so hard, or that it slips through the fingers of one who grasps for it too eagerly.
I'm still not voting, but if I did, I'd have to say the meaning is everywhere, in the author's expressed intent as well as in what the reader takes away with him- or herself, and in a strange synthesis somewhere between the two. Of readers, of course, there are many, so these points would exist almost everywhere. Within every kernel of
applicability is the author's intent to show a truth, not necessarily the very truth that is gleaned by the reader, but one that opens a door and starts the reader on the 'road that goes ever on and on.'
Hope that made sense; it is late, and I'm seeing points of meaning everywhere. Or maybe I'm just seeing spots.
Cheers!
Lyta
P.S. Good job of wording,
Thenamir; even slipped in that word "finite," which seems to be that which we try to pin down...perhaps the meaning is "infinite," rather, and not content to be trapped inside a box!
No finite meaning could ever be correct or complete! But am I just playing with words and concepts? What, after all, is an intended meaning with no applicability? Or an oft-cited inspiration without substance?