Battle of the Somme 90th Anniversary July 1st

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

In a wider literary context, the pattern of Tolkien's 'fairy-stories', in which ordinary people become heroes and experience 'eucatastrophic' resurgences of inspiration against a backdrop of deepening despair, provides a striking contrast to the ironic, disenchanted work of soldiers such as Wilfred Owen whose work is now seen as the epitome of First World War writing.

I can not quite express how deeply greatful I am to Tolkien for focusing on this theme. Not because they are more pleasant to think on, but because it is too easy to overlook in them in the midst of overwhelming despair! Thank you for sharing it, davem