A Working Thesis

As a university English and Literature professor, J.R.R. Tolkien was not a stranger to stories of fantasy. He is an example of good writer who was first a good reader. Tolkien used his life experiences, such as being in WWI, and what he studied in school, to create the world of Middle Earth. This then lead to the impact of his story today. Now audiences form all over the world can enjoy some of his books now as cinematic motion pictures. Many critics claim that Tolkien used ideas from his religion as allegories and symbols for his stories. But Tolkien never admitted to these claims. I think his intentions of this were because he didn’t want to limit his stories to be enjoyed just by those who shared the same religious views as his, but for anyone.

Behind the story that he wrote for his children, “The Hobbit” has messages of great value, not just for children, but for people of all ages.  The book hasn’t only gained a great amount of influences for the people who read the book when it was first published, but also for generations after Tolkien’s death. I’m 19, and I still aspire to be the beloved hobbit, and to find what he has that makes him who he is. His child-like heart is one that overcomes his fears in an unexpected journey to a lonely mountain. I remember sitting in the theater at “The Hobbit” midnight premiere along with MANY other hobbit fanatics and thinking, ”Dang, I’m not the only one.” People today (mainly my age) do want to hear messages that will help us have/live a better life.  

I once heard someone say, “Disney movies today are made for kids, but Disney’s movies made during his life time were made for the child inside all of us.”  Today my generation often confuses having the heart of a child with immaturity. We’re having trouble balancing growing up and staying true to ourselves. That’s why I believe people are so drawn to Tolkien’s story even 75 years after he published it. Bilbo faces his greatest fears, and still keeps his simple compassion towards life.