LotR -- Book 4 - Chapter 04 - Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aldarion Elf-Friend · 03-23-2005, 12:23 PM

Not to open a can of worms, but this chapter seems to cry out for the discussion of Tolkien and race. I don't have access to his letters, but many on this board do, so maybe some of you can shed some light on this discussion.

The simple facts of the matter are that all the "good guys" in LotR are white, and the "bad guys" are largely black/asian (those that aren't orcs, of course).

I know that the way he had ME set up the northwestern part of the continent was the closest to Valinor and therefore had the most access to elves/divine influence. The south and east (blacks/asians) were under the sway of Sauron simply by accident of their location.

This racial situation has been decried by some pundits, and contemporary fantasy is still often very anglo-centric (thought not necessarily in emulation of Tolkien)

So, any thoughts? Any illumination from the good Professor's letters on this subject? Enquiring minds want to know.

03-23-2005, 12:23 PM	#8
Aldarion Elf-Friend Animated Skeleton Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Playing in Peoria Posts: 35	Tolkien and Race Not to open a can of worms, but this chapter seems to cry out for the discussion of Tolkien and race. I don't have access to his letters, but many on this board do, so maybe some of you can shed some light on this discussion. The simple facts of the matter are that all the "good guys" in LotR are white, and the "bad guys" are largely black/asian (those that aren't orcs, of course). I know that the way he had ME set up the northwestern part of the continent was the closest to Valinor and therefore had the most access to elves/divine influence. The south and east (blacks/asians) were under the sway of Sauron simply by accident of their location. This racial situation has been decried by some pundits, and contemporary fantasy is still often very anglo-centric (thought not necessarily in emulation of Tolkien) So, any thoughts? Any illumination from the good Professor's letters on this subject? Enquiring minds want to know. __________________ Bado go Eru, Aldarion