Tolkien’s Day

Today, turns out, is the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), humble Hobbit, gentle wizard, eminent bard. Rightly loved by so many for the very best of reasons, I find myself most instructed by his example of a scholar who found his way to writing, who found sense in the path of the poet’s purpose. A distinguished Anglo-Saxonist and master of languages, Tolkien realized (precisely when, it doesn’t matter) that the real point of studying myths and languages is to bring those myths to life in a creative and meaningful way, for the present, for the people living and reading now. Academic work is valuable, even underrated and unappreciated by many, to be sure. But when the Muse awakens the mind to the true power of story and myth, when the man of, say, letters and learning understands that his calling is higher than learnèd credits and professorial accolades and distinguished chairs (as Tolkien had and every stitch of it earned), that story is at heart a shared and living human experience, then what else could Tolkien say, sitting at his desk, grading papers, than, “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit”? A writer today is well to be inspired by Tolkien, but I find it better to be instructed, in the truest sense of the word. 

So, superlative thanks and many happy returns to the man who found truth in myth (not Allegory!) and value in conveying that truth, through story, to the world. The world, and writers especially, owe Tolkien a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I suspect, however, that his work was a labor of love. And it was, undoubtedly, a tremendous undertaking to create the worlds and languages and characters that he did, however much he drew on a rich stock of story and myth from the Norse and the Celts and others. The point is, he made the myths his own, transmuted the spirit for present times, reminded his readers of the sacredness of the past, and left a legacy that is truly worthy of the word. No writer, surely, will ever match his compass, though we all can strive to follow in his footsteps; and though Faerie can indeed be a perilous place, as the great Master said, not all who wander are lost. Happiest of name-days, then, to John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. May we all be so blessed to be enchanted by the truth that is myth, the fine wine that is a good story, the understanding that is the right path.