Hammond & Scull's Cautionary Tale of Tolkien Studies - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 10-31-2013, 02:29 PM

What I find interesting is their analysis of Tolkien's own comments and letters. This is the first time I've seen a thoughtful evaluation of the contradictions and discrepancies in Tolkien's letters on a fan site. This is not to attack Tolkien but to engage in critical scholarly thought.

I see fans over and over quoting the letters without any thought about context and recipient and without considering the contradictions that exist within the letters and within statements Tolkien made. Kudos for Hammond and Scull for pointing out that memory can be faulty and that the farther removed from an event the more likely someone's recollections can err.

10-31-2013, 02:29 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	What I find interesting is their analysis of Tolkien's own comments and letters. This is the first time I've seen a thoughtful evaluation of the contradictions and discrepancies in Tolkien's letters on a fan site. This is not to attack Tolkien but to engage in critical scholarly thought. I see fans over and over quoting the letters without any thought about context and recipient and without considering the contradictions that exist within the letters and within statements Tolkien made. Kudos for Hammond and Scull for pointing out that memory can be faulty and that the farther removed from an event the more likely someone's recollections can err. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.