Why is LOTR the best fantasy novel of our time? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

arianrod · 06-19-2003, 09:24 PM

Tolkien's such a breath-taking story teller, one can't help but be captivated and entranced by his words. The elements of his stories are so fantastic, but so real at the same time. It's difficult to imagine some obscure fantasy creature that has the head of a man and body of a lion, but it's pleasing to think of small people that have excessively hairy feet and live in holes in the ground in their simple, rustic country. The story itself has many threads to it that seem both mythical and genuine, and many people can relate to such a story of the ultimate good vs. the ultimate evil.

In other words, though the presence of an evil Ring existing in our real world is a generally agreed impossibility, so many of us can still relate to the haunting evil that the Ring represents. We can relate to the Ringbearer's draw to and struggle with the Ring; we know how it feels to be suduced by evil paths that we must resist, no matter how strong the pull is. Every individual person faces individual fears and evils, but each person can find the ability to picture his or her evil in a faceless and universal object: a Ring. The story can become a personal experience to everyone while being directed to no one in particular. We can picture ourselves in the shoes of the Ringbearer and his companions, and that allows us to be taken on such a glorious adventure through the words of such a glorious story teller.

[ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: arianrod ]

06-19-2003, 09:24 PM	#3
arianrod Wight Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wandering Hobbiton, smiling at the hobbits & trying to sell them vacuum cleaners Posts: 215	Tolkien's such a breath-taking story teller, one can't help but be captivated and entranced by his words. The elements of his stories are so fantastic, but so real at the same time. It's difficult to imagine some obscure fantasy creature that has the head of a man and body of a lion, but it's pleasing to think of small people that have excessively hairy feet and live in holes in the ground in their simple, rustic country. The story itself has many threads to it that seem both mythical and genuine, and many people can relate to such a story of the ultimate good vs. the ultimate evil. In other words, though the presence of an evil Ring existing in our real world is a generally agreed impossibility, so many of us can still relate to the haunting evil that the Ring represents. We can relate to the Ringbearer's draw to and struggle with the Ring; we know how it feels to be suduced by evil paths that we must resist, no matter how strong the pull is. Every individual person faces individual fears and evils, but each person can find the ability to picture his or her evil in a faceless and universal object: a Ring. The story can become a personal experience to everyone while being directed to no one in particular. We can picture ourselves in the shoes of the Ringbearer and his companions, and that allows us to be taken on such a glorious adventure through the words of such a glorious story teller. [ June 19, 2003: Message edited by: arianrod ] __________________ Eenie, meanie, Samwise Gamgee, Staring after pretty Rosie, If she calls, watch him blush, then turn and leave in a rush. You want to join the Citadel... You know you do... Do the Wave for Boromir the Disco King!