1968: TOLKIEN on LORD OF THE RINGS | Release | Writers and Wordsmiths | BBC Archive

TL;DR

J.R.R. Tolkien shares his inspiration for writing "The Hobbit" and his love for trees and languages, including Elvish.

Transcript

the actual beginning though it's not really the beginning the actual um flash point was i remember very clearly i can even i took um i could still see the corner in the in my house in 20 north moore road where it happened i got an enormous pile of exam papers there and uh marking school examinations in the summertime is a is an enormous um very lab... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫥 The beginning of Tolkien's writing career was marked by a chance encounter with a blank exam paper, where he scribbled the opening line of "The Hobbit."
• 🙈 The structure of the pilgrimage or journey narrative, as seen in "The Hobbit," had a significant influence on Tolkien's writing style.
• 💦 Trees have always been a source of fascination and inspiration for Tolkien, as they symbolize strength and beauty in his works.
• 🥰 Tolkien's love for languages, particularly Elvish, played a significant role in shaping his writing style and added a unique flavor to his works.
• 🪡 Tolkien did not desire to create a cult following around his invented languages but wanted others to enjoy them without the need for exclusivity.
• 💦 Many people have applied allegorical interpretations to Tolkien's works, particularly relating to themes like death and the nuclear bomb.
• ✍️ Tolkien's writings, although often categorized as fantasy, always explore universal human themes like the inevitability of death.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the turning point that ignited Tolkien's writing career?

The turning point was when Tolkien scribbled the first line of "The Hobbit" on a blank exam paper while marking school examinations.

Q: What inspired Tolkien's choice of the pilgrimage or journey structure for his narratives?

Tolkien found the pilgrimage structure, as seen in "The Hobbit," to be a captivating form for a long narrative and chosen it as the basis for his writings.

Q: Why is Tolkien so captivated by trees?

Trees have always fascinated Tolkien, and they hold immense importance to him, symbolizing strength and beauty. His works are filled with references to trees.

Q: How did Tolkien's love for languages, particularly Elvish, influence his writing?

Tolkien started inventing languages at a young age and continued throughout his life. Languages, like Elvish, added a unique flavor to his writing and were a source of inspiration for him.

Key Insights:

• The beginning of Tolkien's writing career was marked by a chance encounter with a blank exam paper, where he scribbled the opening line of "The Hobbit."
• The structure of the pilgrimage or journey narrative, as seen in "The Hobbit," had a significant influence on Tolkien's writing style.
• Trees have always been a source of fascination and inspiration for Tolkien, as they symbolize strength and beauty in his works.
• Tolkien's love for languages, particularly Elvish, played a significant role in shaping his writing style and added a unique flavor to his works.
• Tolkien did not desire to create a cult following around his invented languages but wanted others to enjoy them without the need for exclusivity.
• Many people have applied allegorical interpretations to Tolkien's works, particularly relating to themes like death and the nuclear bomb.
• Tolkien's writings, although often categorized as fantasy, always explore universal human themes like the inevitability of death.
• The quote, "There is no such thing as a natural death," reflects the underlying theme of the violation and questioning of the world caused by the presence of man.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The flash point of Tolkien's writing career was when he scribbled the first line of "The Hobbit" on an exam paper left blank.

• Tolkien aimed to write a long narrative, inspired by the pilgrimage or journey with an object structure found in "The Hobbit."

• Trees have always fascinated Tolkien, and his works are filled with them. He also discusses his fascination with inventing languages, particularly Elvish.