Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

The greatest fantasy world is undoubtedly Lord of The Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien created a masterpiece, out of a language and a children’s story. He wrote at a time when the world was changing faster than anyone could measure and created a timeless epic. Our understanding of modern fantasy is all based on the foundation he laid, line by line. To his credit, that foundation was a mix of a great many old legends, along with fresh inspiration. He created new languages for his story and a cosmology that is more complete than some world religions. Shadows of his influence permeate every nook and cranny of fantasy.

His influence extends even beyond writing and into film. The trilogy of movies, directed by Peter Jackson, attracted people of all ages. I remember being surprised at some of the older folks when I saw Return of the King in theaters; I was young enough that I didn’t realize how long LOTR had been around and how widely read it was. Those movies appealed to both the masses and the critics, as proven by the awards Return of the King won. “Fantasy is always unsuccessful at the box office.” The success of LOTR paved the way for other fantasy titles to be successful. If the movies were never made, would Game of Thrones have ever become a TV series? Probably not.

For almost all of us who love fantasy, our entire lives have been lived in the shadow of Tolkien. I will quickly touch on four areas showcasing why he is the G.O.A.T.

First, Tolkien’s worldbuilding is the most complete that I have ever encountered. More importantly, he cemented images in people’s imaginations. Elves and Faeries were once interchangeable but are now almost always distinct from each other. Also, Elves and Dwarves became human-like. They could be understood and emphasized with. They had agency. Every sentient being within LOTR has agency. Gollum is proof that even Hobbits go bad. Ah, but what about Orcs? Orcs were corrupted, but even they demonstrate the ability to make value-based decisions: selfishness vs. loyalty vs. risk. Also, I would contend that by extending the ability to make moral decisions to so many races, Tolkien laid the groundwork for modern redemption arcs and anti-heroes.

Several series impacted by Tolkien’s depictions include: World of Warcraft, Dragonlance, and Forgotten Realms. Also, a great many fantasy novels have this idea of decline embedded in them. Adventurers continually stumble upon deserted cities, great artifacts, forgotten spells, and abandoned deities. Tolkien created a world in transition, much like the one he inhabited at the end of World War Two. He embedded an almost unspoken sense of loss in the understanding of his characters that has carried over to many series as it is contrasted with the industrialization of mankind.

Second, LOTR is an easy entry point. For me, it opened the doors to a brave new world. For others, it is the only taste of fantasy they will ever have. It created a shared cultural understanding. My third-grade class read The Hobbit for school, and over a decade later, I earned three college credits for a class on Tolkien. Not everyone in that class regularly read fantasy but they had all been exposed to Tolkien as children.

Third, the messages are undeniably positive in the end. Tolkien told a grand tale, an epic filled with powerful wizards and mighty warriors. A throne reclaimed, a world being abandoned by elves, humanity’s last stand. But the truest heroes of the tale are the simplest of people, two hobbits: Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins. Reading Tolkien is uplifting. It is not about the battles to fight or the glory to be won but instead about doing the right thing, no matter what, because the little things in life are worth fighting for. Second breakfasts, good pipeweed, and a pint with friends are worth fighting for.

I do not love the bright sword

for its sharpness

Nor the arrow

for its swiftness

Nor the Warrior

for his glory

I love the homeland which they defend.

Finally, Tolkien’s influence on fantasy has been immense. Still, writers love to try and break free from the influence of the past, to do something new – to be someone new. Tolkien’s writing and now the films have created a space where, by being different, a fantasy story can immediately stand out.

There may come a day when Tolkien’s influence is not the foundation of our fantasy and the lovely worlds we escape to. But it is not this day!

Thank goodness, because our world desperately needs to remember the simple joys in the face of overwhelming evil.