Hobbit Author J.R.R. Tolkien's Anti-Socialist, Pro-Liberty Message

CNS ^ | December 4, 2014 | Barbara Hollingsworth

[xzins]

Good article. The author wonders why 60’s hippies liked the book so much. I’d say it’s because in their hearts everyone knows that freedom, not government, is in the best interest of themselves, their nation, and humanity. Things can get spun lots of ways, but until they sell out to the dark side, freedom is easily seen as a natural gift from God.

[Biggirl]

Also, at a time when there is great division in this nation, J.R.R. Toakin and his books are a confort.

[Biggirl]

Opps, Tolkien.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I read the Hobbit and the first LOR book years ago in the 1980s and that was it for me, it just got boring as hell and later on the movies were a million times worse, especially that annoying little twerp who couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag Elijah Wood, “Oh Saaam Oh Saam Oh Saaam” Oh shut up, ugh. I still don’t know what the big obsession is with that whole thing, especially now that they seem to be stretching it out for every last penny.

[GOPJ]

“But what’s interesting about Tolkien, one sign that’s there more economic message to these texts than people realize, is that the Soviet Union banned all of Tolkien’s writings. It’s not often known, but we tell the story at the end of the book about those great days during the collapse of the Soviet Union when thousands of civilians poured into Red Square and there was this question about what the tanks were going to do. And in the middle of those crowds a sign popped up that said: ‘Frodo is with us’.

“And that’s when a lot of Americans found out that in fact, the Soviets had been passing around this sort of contraband, mimeographed version, bad translation of The Lord of the Rings for decades.”

fyi

[xzins]

Some people don’t like westerns either. Some like westerns but not Louis Lamour westerns. Part of it is being a fan of fantasy fiction, and then created world fantasy.

[Jonty30]

Because you didn’t understand the underlying messages of the books.

[bigbob]

I think you’re right. Tolkein presents the basic nature of liberty in a non-political, non-religious way, making it clear that the “inalienable rights” are not “given” by any government of men, or even non-humans.

[Mercat]

My mother started reading them in the 60s and I believe read them every year until she died in 1999. She eventually became blind and although it was a poor substitution, she listened to the early audio version. There are now word for word and well done audio versions. I had a couple of college professors in the 60s who encouraged us to read all the Inklings. I have read them all several times. Right now I’m going through the trilogy and then will reread the Hobbit (all on Kindle this time since I’m going blind too) and then see the movie. When I sat and watched the opening scene of the Fellowship of the Ring, the shire, I started to cry. I wish my mom could have seen the movies.

[hoosierham]

Many a great book has been made into a poor movie.

[longfellowsmuse]

I have learned that there are good people who simply lack imagination and the ability to be transported by literature, song and art into a different reality then the one they currently occupy. Frequently, but not always, faith in God is difficult for these people as well. Perhaps it is genetic, perhaps those with imagination possess a gift. I don’t know, but I do know it inspires greatness.

Gollum is completely destroyed by the ring, more than any other character in the series, and ultimately He destroys the ring and himself saving middle earth. Without Sam and Frodo’s mercy toward him in the journey toward Mordor Middle Earth would have fallen to Sauron because Frodo did not have the strength to resist the power of the ring. The victory over evil relies on mercy toward all of us as we are all broken and unable to resist the temptations of sin.

[vladimir998]

I read The Hobbit Party recently. Not bad. A bit overpriced considering how ‘thin’ it is, but a worthwhile read nonetheless. A good corrective to the misconceptions about Tolkien’s view that are commonly thrown about.

[NewHampshireDuo]

ping for later

[Oratam]

What a profound restating of a central tenet of Christianity.

"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends."

[Rusty0604]

I don’t believe the hippies didn’t start out wanting big government. Somehow wanting the freedom to “express yourself” turned into political correctness and a “right” not to feel insulted, with gov’t taking away other’s rights to express themselves.

[-YYZ-]

I enjoyed the movies, although the pacing got a bit slow at times, but I have to agree on the guy who played Frodo - he was supposed to be going through some sort of inner turmoil, but mostly he just looked like he had a bad case of indigestion (which IS a sort of inner turmoil, I suppose).

[Rusty0604]

Everyone has different tastes. The world would be a boring place if everyone liked the same things.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I don’t think Tolkien was a big fan of modern industrial capitalism, though (when you read his description of what Saruman did the the Shire).

[The_Reader_David]

You do realize that the hippie movement was hijacked by the New Left. The original hippies were classical anarchists or libertarians, a bit naive (hence the phrase ‘hippie dippie’), but not leftists, and certainly not the Marcusian sort of leftist that turned into political correctness. Think of the lyrics of The Beatles “Revolution”, which as a critique of the shift to the left: “...and if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain’t gone make it with anyone, any how...”