On the Introduction of J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century
I find it very interesting that Tom Shippey questions, in his introduction, what Tolkien meant to accomplish through the production of the Lord of the Rings.
“There is an Old English proverb that says… Everyone who cries out wishes to be heard…Tolkien wanted to be heard, but what was it he wanted to say?”
It is said that Tolkien, during his time served as a soldier in WWI, would scribble down ideas that would eventually turn into the trilogy as we know it, but did Tolkien ever really believe that he would create such a book, especially when death could come any time on the battle field? In addition, His publisher and himself even after the completion of the book did not anticipate much if any success. This leads me to believe that The Lord of the Rings was just as much written for his own internal purposes, as it was for the reader.
Sarah McNutt
