Can the book be considered rascist? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thalionyulma · 04-18-2002, 06:00 AM

I don’t know what it is about “skin color” and such... I prefer being called “color blind”. Anyway, I have never believed JRRT to be a racist, nor have I ever viewed his works to be such.
It was mentioned before, JRRT was a product of his time, I believe that too. Besides, human prejudice is the word that comes to mind (but would you consider prejudicism the same as racism?), in my opinion. But I don’t consider Tolkien to be a bigot, either.

What is it about the appearances? Let’s face it... black (or dark skinned/non-white, whatever) and traits we view as ugly or physically abnormal (okay, even mentally abnormal) are considered crooked, twisted, "evil" most of the time. And aren't most people "repelled" by these?
And Pure Bloods? Is it not common even in our time that the elite/rich or royalty “should” only “mix” with their own kind?

These “traits“ that can be found in LOTR are just common traits of man. JRRT was just probably going to that “level of humanity” (or should I say mentality?).

Sam’s questions were probably JRRT’s questions as well. Actually, these questions are not uncomfortable... its a matter of how you perceive them.

okay that's my two cents worth - now I'm off to bed! [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]

04-18-2002, 06:00 AM	#11
Thalionyulma Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: across the sea Posts: 295	I don’t know what it is about “skin color” and such... I prefer being called “color blind”. Anyway, I have never believed JRRT to be a racist, nor have I ever viewed his works to be such. It was mentioned before, JRRT was a product of his time, I believe that too. Besides, human prejudice is the word that comes to mind (but would you consider prejudicism the same as racism?), in my opinion. But I don’t consider Tolkien to be a bigot, either. What is it about the appearances? Let’s face it... black (or dark skinned/non-white, whatever) and traits we view as ugly or physically abnormal (okay, even mentally abnormal) are considered crooked, twisted, "evil" most of the time. And aren't most people "repelled" by these? And Pure Bloods? Is it not common even in our time that the elite/rich or royalty “should” only “mix” with their own kind? These “traits“ that can be found in LOTR are just common traits of man. JRRT was just probably going to that “level of humanity” (or should I say mentality?). Sam’s questions were probably JRRT’s questions as well. Actually, these questions are not uncomfortable... its a matter of how you perceive them. okay that's my two cents worth - now I'm off to bed! [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img]