connections form Tolkiens life to LOTR. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 11-27-2002, 05:13 PM

Every author is going to lift something from their life experiences when they are writing a book. That's pretty much a given. This doesn't have to be considered allegory, just a good author following the old rule to "write about what you know".

I suppose if Tolkien was searching for what he considered to be the perfect beast villain, it would follow that he would choose a spider, (and it would be a pretty good choice, at that.) Even if you are not particularly afraid of spiders, one as big as a car would be enough to give anyone the creeps.

As for the Eagles: I believe I read some reference about the Eagles not choosing to involve themselves in the affairs of Men except under very special circumstances. In fact, the Eagles seem to only assist Men (or Hobbits) at the bidding of Gandalf, at least in the Third Age. Since both Gandalf and the Eagles are affiliated with Manwë, I suppose this is only fitting.

I'm very glad that Tolkien did choose to use the Eagles sparingly. Most readers think of them as a kind of Deus Ex Machina, (or perhaps that should be Aquilas Ex Machina). If he had used them to get his characters out of any kind of scrape, it would have been just too convenient.

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11-27-2002, 05:13 PM	#1
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Every author is going to lift something from their life experiences when they are writing a book. That's pretty much a given. This doesn't have to be considered allegory, just a good author following the old rule to "write about what you know". I suppose if Tolkien was searching for what he considered to be the perfect beast villain, it would follow that he would choose a spider, (and it would be a pretty good choice, at that.) Even if you are not particularly afraid of spiders, one as big as a car would be enough to give anyone the creeps. As for the Eagles: I believe I read some reference about the Eagles not choosing to involve themselves in the affairs of Men except under very special circumstances. In fact, the Eagles seem to only assist Men (or Hobbits) at the bidding of Gandalf, at least in the Third Age. Since both Gandalf and the Eagles are affiliated with Manwë, I suppose this is only fitting. I'm very glad that Tolkien did choose to use the Eagles sparingly. Most readers think of them as a kind of Deus Ex Machina, (or perhaps that should be Aquilas Ex Machina). If he had used them to get his characters out of any kind of scrape, it would have been just too convenient.