Tolkien and Iron

EllethValatari · 06-13-2010, 03:43 PM

Okay, I know that Tolkien in now way wanted his writings on Middle Earth to be allegorical. As Patrick Curry wrote,

I am aware, of course, that Tolkien’s fiction cannot be reduced to his views. Nonetheless it is idle to pretend that those views are not in his fiction and cannot be inferred from it, together with his letters and essays.

However, I am fascinated by his use of the word "iron," I think that he perhaps used iron in a way that agreed with his disinclination towards modernity.

About two minutes ago I was looking up a quote to present in this thread and (for the second time) came across an essay by Patrick Curry, the man quoted above. He presents this fascination with Tolkien's use of iron much better than I would, so here is the link to the essay:

Click here

Any comments?

06-13-2010, 03:43 PM	#1
EllethValatari Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United States Posts: 401	Tolkien and Iron Okay, I know that Tolkien in now way wanted his writings on Middle Earth to be allegorical. As Patrick Curry wrote, I am aware, of course, that Tolkien’s fiction cannot be reduced to his views. Nonetheless it is idle to pretend that those views are not in his fiction and cannot be inferred from it, together with his letters and essays. However, I am fascinated by his use of the word "iron," I think that he perhaps used iron in a way that agreed with his disinclination towards modernity. About two minutes ago I was looking up a quote to present in this thread and (for the second time) came across an essay by Patrick Curry, the man quoted above. He presents this fascination with Tolkien's use of iron much better than I would, so here is the link to the essay: Click here Any comments? __________________ Elleth Valatari "We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God. Our myths may be misguided, but they steer however shakily towards the true harbour, while materialistic 'progress' leads only to a yawning abyss and the Iron Crown of the power of evil." — J.R.R. Tolkien Last edited by EllethValatari : 06-15-2010 at 09:36 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LLL discussion thread part III	Earniel	RPG Forum	996	06-24-2011 05:32 AM
LOTR Discussion: Appendix A, parts 2 and 3	Forkbeard	LOTR Discussion Project	12	12-28-2007 07:10 AM
Tolkien compared to other writers	bmilder	Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels	64	06-14-2006 08:03 PM
LoTR discussion project: Book III, Chapters 8 and 9:	Forkbeard	LOTR Discussion Project	31	01-13-2006 01:05 AM