Letter 43a

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 43a
Recipient	Michael Tolkien
Date	12 March 1941
Subject(s)	Personal advice

Letter 43a is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

In a letter to his son Michael, J.R.R. Tolkien offers advice on maintaining honesty and integrity in romantic relationships. He emphasizes the importance of being straightforward and addressing potential conflicts early on, rather than resorting to deceit. Tolkien advises that open confrontation over minor issues, like personal habits or friendships, is preferable to subterfuge, as it prevents larger problems in the future.