J.R.R. Tolkien's Childhood
Born January 3, 1892, in
Bloemfontein, South Africa. Moved back to England at the age of three due to
his mother's decision. At the age of four, Tolkien moved to the rural hamlet of
Sarehole, which inspired his imaginary land of Hobbits. Homeschooled by his
mother initially, he developed a passion for languages and showed exceptional
academic abilities. Attended King Edward's School in Birmingham, where he
excelled in mastering various ancient and modern languages, including his own
made-up languages.
Tolkien's Family and Fatherhood
Tolkien's son Christopher later
published Lúthien and Beren as a chapter of the saga, The Silmarillion. Tolkien
and his wife Edith had four children: John Francis, Michael Hilary, Christopher
John, and Priscilla Mary Anne. Tolkien was a devoted father and would make up
fanciful stories for his children.
Letters from Father Christmas
From 1920 to 1942, Tolkien would
illustrate letters to his children during Christmas time, introducing new
characters each year. Three years after Tolkien's death, these stories were
published as Letters from Father Christmas by the Tolkien estate.
Tolkien's Experience in World War I
Initially, Tolkien did not join
the British military when the war broke out, believing he had little physical
courage. He enlisted as a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers and was
sent to the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme. Tolkien witnessed the
horrors of trench fighting and lived in unsanitary conditions, leading to him
contracting trench fever. Tolkien's first-hand experience in the war influenced
his writing and gave him a sense of awareness.
Tolkien's Influence on Academia
After his time at Leeds, Tolkien
received a professorship at Oxford, where he was influential despite publishing
few scholarly articles. One of Tolkien's lectures, "Beowulf, the Monsters
and the Critics," altered the modern study of the Old English epic tale
Beowulf. Tolkien formed a close friendship with C.S. Lewis, and they would meet
regularly with other authors as part of "The Inklings" group.
The Birth of The Hobbit
While grading exam papers,
Tolkien wrote down the phrase "In a hole in the ground there lived a
hobbit" without much thought. This sparked his curiosity about hobbits and
led him to create a tale to share with his children and The Inklings. An
incomplete copy of The Hobbit ended up in the hands of a publishing employee,
who convinced Tolkien to finish it. The Hobbit was published in 1937 and became
an immediate hit, selling over 100 million copies worldwide since then.
The Hobbit: A Long Tale with Complex Characters
The Hobbit is a very long tale,
filled with poetry and rich descriptions of Middle-earth and its characters.
Unlike other children's fiction, The Hobbit does not have a central child
figure for young readers to easily identify with. However, the protagonist
Bilbo Baggins, although "only a little hobbit," acts as a surrogate
child in the story.
Influence of The Hobbit and Depth of Emotion
The Hobbit had a profound
influence on fantasy writers who came after Tolkien. The world-building and
complex characters in The Hobbit have influenced countless other fantasy
worlds. Examples of this can be seen in the death of Thorin Oakenshield and
Bilbo's internal struggles to do what is right.
Tolkien's Other Works and Publications
Tolkien wrote a number of other
articles and essays during his lifetime. He presented portions of The
Silmarillion, including incomplete stories of Lúthien and Beren, to Stanley
Unwin but they were not commercially publishable. After the letdown, Tolkien
quickly embarked on writing the follow-up, to The Hobbit, which eventually
evolved into The Lord of the Rings. Additionally, Tolkien's repertoire comprises
The Monsters and the Critics and Other Essays The Adventures of Tom Bombadil as
his contributions, in editing and translating Middle English literature.
The Success and Legacy of Tolkien
Tolkien's incredible
contributions, to the fantasy genre continue to ignite inspiration making him a
revered and respected figure in literature. His imaginative characters and
enchanting settings have even influenced the naming of streets, businesses,
mountains, flora, and objects. In recognition of his talent, Tolkien has been
honored with awards such as being appointed as a Commander of the Order of the
British Empire and receiving the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.
Furthermore, his remarkable works, like The Lord of the Rings have successfully
made their way onto both small screens through captivating film adaptations and
television series.
Writing Career of J.R.R. Tolkien
He started writing a story that
eventually turned into "The Hobbit" as a tale to tell his kids before
bed. Tolkien's richly inventive epic
tale series, "The Lord of the Rings," was written in bits and pieces
and sent as letters to his kids.
Tolkien's Expertise and Contribution to Fantasy Literature
Tolkien gained recognition for
his captivating tales of fantasy and earned the title of the pioneer of
contemporary fantasy literature. His areas of expertise included Old English
poetical literature and mythology. Inspired by early Germanic fictional
histories, fantasy writings, and constructed languages, Tolkien became a
pioneer in the genre of fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien's renowned series, "The
Lord of the Rings " has captivated readers across the globe with its
storytelling. Translated into, over 25 languages this epic saga is widely
regarded as one of the love stories of the century.
Tolkien's Academic and Professional Career
Tolkien attended King Edward
School and later St. Phillips School for his education. He initially pursued a
degree, in classics, at Exeter College, Oxford. However, he later decided to
switch his focus and delve into the study of English language and literature.
Tolkien graduated with first-class honors in 1915. During his time, at the
Oxford English Dictionary, he held the position of a lexicographer. Subsequently, he became a reader, in the English language at the University of Leeds. Throughout
his journey, Tolkien authored publications, which encompassed a Middle English
vocabulary and an edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Reception and Legacy of Tolkien's Works
Tolkien's literary creations,
such, as "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit " have
garnered acclaim and widespread popularity. "The Lord of the Rings"
trilogy was adapted into award-winning blockbuster movies by Hollywood director
Peter Jackson. Tolkien's writings have been honored with accolades and
acknowledgments including degrees, the prestigious Locus Award for Best Fantasy
Novel, and notable rankings, in lists featuring the greatest authors. He is
remembered as one of the greatest British writers since 1945 and has a
dedicated professorship and reading day in his name.
Blue plaques were inducted across four cities in England
Seven blue plaques have been
inducted across four cities in England to mark J.R.R. Tolkien's association.
The cities where the blue plaques are located are Birmingham, Bournemouth,
Leeds, and Oxford.
J.R.R. Tolkien works
Here are J.R.R. Tolkien's major
works:
1. The Hobbit (1937)
2. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy:
a. The Fellowship of the Ring (1954)
b. The Two Towers (1954)
c. The Return of the King (1955)
3. The Silmarillion (1977)
4. Unfinished Tales of Númenor
and Middle-earth (1980)
5. The Children of Húrin (2007)
6. The History of Middle-earth
(12-volume series, published between 1983 and 1996)
7. The Fall of Gondolin (2018)
8. Beren and Lúthien (2017)
9. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
(1981)
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