On 6 December 1965, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a letter to G.S. Rigby Jr. (of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania).[1][2][3]
- Subject: Acknowledging theological elements in The Lord of the Rings.
- Description: Typed letter signed ("J.R.R. Tolkien"), one page (6 3/4 x 5 1/4 in.; 172 x 130 mm).[3]
- Publication: A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology.
From the auction
The Lord of the Rings and its Christian/Catholic underpinnings. Tolkien, a devout Catholic, readily admits to theological elements in his famous trilogy. "There is, in fact, quite a lot of theology included in The Lord of the Rings (I was surprised to find how much when the work was analysed some time ago in a theological periodical), though perhaps it is made more palatable by a sugar coating." [3]
Transcript
6th December, 1965.
Dear Mr. Rigby,
Thank you very much for your appreciative letter. It gave me much pleasure.
There is, in fact, quite a lot of theology included in The Lord of the Rings (I was surprised to find now much when the work was analysed some time ago in a theological periodical), though perhaps it is made more palatable by a sugar coating.
With best wishes and thanks.
Yours sincerely,
J. R. R. Tolkien
References
- ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond, “chapter=I. Chronology,” in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide (2006), p. 648
- ↑ . "Tolkien Notes 7". Too Many Books and Never Enough. Retrieved 30 May 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Lot 227, Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana, New York, 11 June 2012". Sotheby's. Retrieved 30 May 2013