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Line 75: − − === Interpretation === − − The book is often seen as an analogy to the epic struggle between Communism and Capitalism, especially since it was written during the Cold War period. − − However, Tolkein frantically disclaimed any attempt at [[allegory]], which he saw as besides the point of good storytelling, in the medieval sense. In fact, the question of the value of allegory became a source of debate between Tolkien and his good friend, [[Christian]] [[author]] [[C.S. Lewis]]. Despite Tolkien's claims to avoid allegory, it is hard, if not impossible, to understand Tolkien's motives for writing the books without taking into account Tolkien's scarring experiences in [[World War I]]. Tolkien's distaste for industrialism - seen in the books in his characterization of [[Saruman|Saruman's]] armies - perhaps had its genesis there.<ref>John Garth, "Tolkien and the Great War: the Threshold of Middle Earth," available at [http://www.amazon.com/Tolkien-Great-War-Threshold-Middle-earth/dp/0618331298 Amazon.com].</ref>
The Lord of the Rings (view source)
Revision as of 00:49, December 9, 2008
, 00:49, December 9, 2008differentiated as content was unclear on the allegory front (allegory=/=influence)
In 1965, a US-American pirated paperback edition and the surrounding trouble spread awareness of ''The Lord of the Rings'' in the United States, where it soon gained a strong following.
In 1965, a US-American pirated paperback edition and the surrounding trouble spread awareness of ''The Lord of the Rings'' in the United States, where it soon gained a strong following.
J. R. R. Tolkien was a [[Roman Catholic]], and many readers see [[Christian]] undertones in ''The Lord of the Rings.'' <ref>"Much as it is possible to identify allegories of the Second World war into ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is possible to identify any number of Christian allegories as well" in Smith, J. and Matthews, J.C. ''The Lord of the Rings:the Films, the books, the radio series'' (Virgin Books 2004), p.116.</ref> Tolkien himself discounts the belief that he wrote the book as a direct Christian allegory--or any other sort of allegory, which he went on record as "cordially disliking", and preferring "applicability"--in contrast with the overt and acknowledged allegories in the works of Tolkien's friend, [[C. S. Lewis]].<ref>''The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien'', #129</ref>
J. R. R. Tolkien was a [[Roman Catholic]], and many readers see [[Christian]] undertones in ''The Lord of the Rings.'' <ref>"Much as it is possible to identify allegories of the Second World war into ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is possible to identify any number of Christian allegories as well" in Smith, J. and Matthews, J.C. ''The Lord of the Rings:the Films, the books, the radio series'' (Virgin Books 2004), p.116.</ref> Tolkien himself discounts the belief that he wrote the book as a direct Christian allegory--or any other sort of allegory (for example as an allegory for the struggle between Communism and Capitalism), which he went on record as "cordially disliking" and saw as besides the point of good storytelling in the medieval sense, and preferring "applicability"--in contrast with the overt and acknowledged allegories in the works of Tolkien's friend, [[C. S. Lewis]].<ref>''The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien'', #129</ref> In fact, the question of the value of allegory became a source of debate between Tolkien and his good friend, [[Christian]] [[author]] [[C.S. Lewis]].
Tolkien's scarring experiences in [[World War I]] and his distaste for destructive industrialism - seen in the books in his characterization of [[Saruman|Saruman's]] armies - has been an influence on his works as acknownledged by himselfperhaps had its genesis there.<ref>John Garth, "Tolkien and the Great War: the Threshold of Middle Earth," available at [http://www.amazon.com/Tolkien-Great-War-Threshold-Middle-earth/dp/0618331298 Amazon.com].</ref>
== Adaptions ==
== Adaptions ==
The films were released annually in cinemas from December 2001 to 2003. DVD releases of the cinema version and Special Extended Editions have also been released for each film. Each extended edition includes four discs, two of bonus material.
The films were released annually in cinemas from December 2001 to 2003. DVD releases of the cinema version and Special Extended Editions have also been released for each film. Each extended edition includes four discs, two of bonus material.
== References ==
== References ==