Writing Style of J.R.R. Tolkien - Essay Example

The Style of J. R. R. Tolkien Like any good John Ronald Reuel Tolkien had worked his way to the literary world with his own style of writing. Most commonly known as J. R. R. Tolkien, this man was became famous with his books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series among others. According to Gale Research, "Tolkien drew on his familiarity with Northern and other ancient literatures and his own invented languages to create not just his own story, but his own world: Middle-earth, complete with its own history, myths, legends, epics and heroes." However, there are also some people who have criticized Tolkien's writing in the past century. This paper will weigh what had been said of Tolkien's style, and how it changed the perception of readers and colleagues as well. Judith Johnson talks about decades of criticisms for the works of Tolkien. "Tolkien criticism spans more than six decades. Several commentators divide it into chronological categories. Bruce Beatie (B533) saw three stages between 1954 and 1968: the first, between 1954 and 1956, consisting of reviews and questions of genre; the second, from 1957 to 1964, containing mostly reactions from scholars; and the third, from 1965 to 1968, consisting primarily of general reader and cult reaction." (xi) Meanwhile, according to George Clark and Daniel Timmons, "Commentators have taken strong positions for and against these books," as they compiled a long list of reviews about Tolkien. "C.S. Lewis hailed The Fellowship of the Ring (FR) as a work of genius (1082); in the 1960s, Marion Zimmer Bradley noted that love was 'the dominant emotion' in LR, not only love of honor and country, but 'Gandalf's paternal and Goldberry and Galadriel's maternal love' (109); in the 1970s, W. R. Irwin called LR 'the most impressive' work of its kind of the twentieth century (161); in the 1980s, Ursula K. Le Guin stated that Tolkien's style was 'outstanding' (79)" (Clark and Timmons 218). Lastly, "in the late 1990s, C. W. Sullivan III commended, 'Tolkien's eminently successful attempt to create a traditional narrative' ( 82)" (Clark and Timmons 218). On the other hand, some negative remarks were also associated with Tolkien's writing style that Clark and Timmons added in their list. "Catharine Stimpson thought that Tolkien displays 'subtle contempt and hostility toward women' and that unlike 'many very good modern writers, he is no homosexual' (19, 20). Michael Moorcock claimed it was like 'Winnie-the-Pooh posing as epic' ( 125 )" (Clark and Timmons 218). Meanwhile, in the late 1990s, "C. W. Sullivan III commended, 'Tolkien's eminently successful attempt to create a traditional narrative' ( 82 ); John Goldthwaite stated: 'Very seldom does one encounter emotion this fraudulent and writing this bad in any genre,' after quoting a passage of a battle scene from The Return of the King (RK)" ( Clark and Timmons 218 ). Today, the reviews on Tolkien have not shed any reluctance admiring and criticizing his contribution to literature. A research done by Stephanie Lessard-Pilon stated that, "J.R.R. Tolkien was a famous and spectacular author. He should be remembered today as the one of the best fantasy writers of all time, and one of the most advanced philologists in England." Furthermore, Lessard-Pilon had managed to give the conventional style of Tolkien, "such as description, character development, and dialogue." According to Lessard-Pilon, "He manages to use simple, understandable words to paint complex images in the reader's mind. 'As if through a gate they saw the sunlight before them. Coming to the open, they found that they had made their way through a cleft in a high bank, almost a cliff. At its feet was a wide space of grass and reeds, and in the distance another bank almost as steep. A golden afternoon of late sunshine lay warm and drowsy upon the hidden land between.' (Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring, 162-63). Another example of good description ... of Tolkien's is that of Treebeard, an old Ent. 'It belonged to a manlike, almost troll-like, figure, at least fourteen feet high, very sturdy, with a tall back and hardly any neck ... The arms, at a short distance, were not wrinkled but instead covered with smooth brown skin. The large feet had seven toes each. The lower part of its face was covered with a sweeping beard, bushy, almost twiggy at the roots, thin and mossy at the ends.' (Tolkien, The Two Towers. 83)." Furthermore, Lessard-Pilon said, "he makes his characters speak with an authentic sense that completely relates to their personality. 'A bath!' cried Pippin. 'O blessed Meriadoc!' 'Which order shall we go in' said Frodo. 'Eldest first, or quickest first You'll be last either way, Master Peregrin!' 'Trust me to arrange things better than that!' Merry said. 'In that room, you will find three tubs, and a copper full of hot water. There are also towels and mats and soap. Get inside, and be quick!' (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 144). Another example is, 'Farewell, Master Hoblyta!' Theoden said. 'My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not be ashamed. I fell the Black Serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunrise!' (Tolkien, The Return of the King. 143)." One more quote from The Fellowship of the Ring was used by Lessard-Pilon to prove the character development that Tolkien used. 'Where did you come but those verses, Sam' asked Pippin. 'I've never heard those words before.' Sam muttered something inaudible. 'It's out of his own head, of course!' said Frodo. 'I am learning a lot about Sam Gamgee on this journey. First he was a conspirator, now he's a jester. He'll end up by being a warrior, or a wizard!' 'I hope not!' said Sam. 'I don't want to be neither!' (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 278). In the beginning of this novel, Sam was just another character with some very ordinary traits. However, as the book progressed, readers begin to notice several things that they had not been aware of before, such as Sam's hidden poetry talent. Another example of a round character from The Return of the King is Aragorn, the warrior king of Gonder. Here is a quote showing a very unexpected side of his personality. 'When Ioreth was gone, Aragorn bade the other women to make the water hot. Then he took Faramir's hand in his, and laid the other hand upon the sick man's brow. It was drenched with sweat; but Faramir did not move or make any sign, and seemed hardly able to breathe...Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon his brow. And those that watched felt that some great struggle was going on. For Aragorn's face grew grey with weariness, and ever and anon he called the name of Faramir, but each time more faintly to their hearing as if Aragorn himself was removed from them, and walked afar in some dark vale, calling for one that was lost... Suddenly Faramir stirred, and he opened his eyes, and he looked on Aragorn who bent over him; and a light of knowledge and love was kindled in his eyes, and he spoke softly. 'My lord, you called me. I come. What does the King command' (Tolkien, The Return of the King, 171-173)." Aside from the writing techniques that Tolkien showed was the obvious topics that somehow revealed the life of Tolkien in the real world. Mary Lasse reviewed the "historical richness of Tolkien himself." Tolkien's love of language started early in his life, that he was able to show it through his gift for. Another thing is that, "his relationship with God and his relationship with friend and literary sparring partner, C.S. Lewis. Tolkien and his brother, Hilary, grew up in the Roman Catholic beliefs, and 'remained devout Catholics throughout their lives." Meanwhile, Michael Drout and Hilary Wynne made a review on "Tom Shippey's J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century and a Look Back at Tolkien Criticism since 1982 ... Probably more has been written on Good and Evil in Tolkien's work than on any other topic while Good and Evil in Tolkien may be a tired topic, it is an important one even Shippey does not completely avoid the magnetic pull of the discussion of Good and Evil in Tolkien..." (108) Work Cited: Clark, George, and Timmons Daniel. J.R.R. Tolkien and His Literary Resonances: Views of Middle-Earth. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2000:1-2. Drout, Michael, and Wynne, Hilary Tom Shippey's J.R.R. Tolkien> Author of the Century and a Look Back at Tolkien Criticism since 1982 Envoi vol. 9, no. 2 (Fall 2000):108. Edmonds, WA: Envoi Publications. 13 April 2008 Gale Research. From Barnes & Noble. "Editorial Reviews." Barnes & Noble. 13 Apr. 2008 Johnson, Judith. J.R.R. Tolkien: Six Decades of Criticism. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1986:xi. Lasse, Mary. "Tolkien: The Man behind the Myth" Christianity Today Library (13 Oct. 2004). 13 Apr. 2008 Lessard-Pilon, Stephanie. "Learning About J.R.R. Tolkien" Rutgers School of Communication, Information and Library Studies. 31 Mar 1997 Read More