I use my Tolkien fandom as a temporary escape from the day's problems. I enjoy reading about the different characters and the obstacles they face. I see myself in several of the characters. Mostly Eowyn.
"Tolkien Psychology... Why do we like his works?" This is one of those amazing questions the makes me love this Forum. It can be answered with something like; "Because he goes good with popcorn" or it can be a doctoral dissertation or scholarly treatise...like "Tolkien: Archetype and Word" by Patrick Grant. While my usual style is to dig into this with a psychoanalytical, metaphysical, cultural synopsis...I think I may be more on the mark with a more personal note...and not bore anyone with ego, persona, Maslow's hierarchy of motives, and a social multiculturalism demanding angels and elves...(if anybody wants to discuss this...well...I am your boy)
I started reading The Hobbit when one of my high school teachers, trying to prove he was cool, had added it to my sophomore reading list. Well it turns out he was cool and opened a door for me that forty one years later still provides me with delight and insight into human character...(Thank you Jack!) I don't really know how much escapism I can claim from his works. Every time I think I am there a piece pops out that flows into the struggles of my "real" life...like Beorn's suspicious attitude of the dwarves and his generosity despite his doubts...the loyalty and devotion of Sam to Frodo yet his lack of compassion for Smeagol...Eowyn's challenge to Aragorn about her choices to be a warrior and her transformation with Faramir in the Houses of Healing...nope...to much of my real world there to provide any escape.
Yet this Christmas I received a framed note from my twenty five year old seminary graduating daughter with this quote from Tolkien himself ; "...If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold it would be a merrier world..." So to answer the question; "Tolkien Psychology...Why do we like his works?"??? Well, after I have finished my second breakfast, smoked another pipe full of smoke rings, finished playing my guitar, petted my cats, and finished reading for the umpteenth time an "Unexpected Party"... maybe I'll take a shot at it...maybe tomorrow...may be not...
-- Edited by Bear on Thursday 4th of February 2010 11:29:42 AM
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
Yes, your right about that. You know he wrote the LOTR books for his children? It took 17 years! One day he just sat down and wrote in a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. And look how famous his work has become, starting with that book! :)
I think when we ask ourselves this question ... there are answers on so many levels. We admire the heroes. We love fantasy ... And a zillion other answers.
But to put it in a pure psychological perspective we must talk about the archetypes that transcend across ALL cultures ... which leads us to mythology and alchemy ...
Wizard, warrior, king, lover, and brotherhood!
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
It would be easy enough to fill a harrowing tale with heroes. A score of Aragorns, Boromirs, Eomers, and a powerful Wizard or two, and we would have greatness in the making with all these heroic types. It would be a story full of valiance and strength to say the least; a great story at the hands of word-smith like Professor Tolkien.
But where would be our worry for the characters? The absolute doubt in the protagonist that would make us say, "How silly is that? Of course you would need a tall strong champion of men to defeat the dragon!" Where's the frailty? Or fear in the presence of danger? Not to mention, the reluctance to step out of doors on a stormy morning? I think that is precisely the reason we were given Hobbits. The creation of a character embodying all of our weaknesses and fondness for indulgence was paramount to captivating our attention, as one of these creature steps out of his doors without so much as a pocket handkerchief to be whisked away from his comforts as well as his reckonings. The reluctant hero!
The reluctant hero plays throughout many mythologies and tales of folklore in many cultures: Hercules, Han solo (a favorite of mine), Bilbo Baggins, Aruja from a Hindu tale, even Jesus was reluctant for a while (another Hero). These archetypes do not wish to abandon their bliss and/or do not wish to take on the burdens of the world (the latter excluded).
Throughout the Hobbit and LOTR, Tolkien reminds me of the simplistic nature of the Hobbits. They may take on great odds (when they find themselves embroiled in them) but never forget that they are scared and out of their element. This makes their accomplishments that much more memorable!
