“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” -The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkien
The power of imagination is something that most people take for granted. It’s what makes up your favorite books and movies, or even just the world around you. But imagine if there were no such thing? What would happen to all those stories we read about in class; wouldn’t life feel incredibly boring without any distractions at all? Not only does creativity connect us with each other through our shared emotions but also allows individuals an opportunity to express themselves creatively which can help them find meaning in their lives/
J.R.R. Tolkien chose to spend his time enlightening the imaginations of millions of readers throughout the world. He created worlds of his own and left part of himself on this earth contained within his stories.
Yesterday marked the 46th anniversary of the death of this creative soul. His life experiences and beliefs are captured in print forever. All we need to do is open our minds to the worlds he shaped to help us better understand how to live in this world.
Tolkien’s book(s) beckons us to move forward against all adversity, trials, and self-doubt. The journey is before us every day and we can rise to the challenge of it and face it with courage. #Letthestoriesliveon
Tolkien’s life represents this concept. His life was marked by adversity from a young age. First, when his father died and left the family with no income. His mother, brother, and self-moved in with his mother’s family in Birmingham England. His mother taught him at home which allowed him to explore subjects he loved such as botany, nature, languages, and fairy tales. He loved to read George MacDonald and Andrew Lang. Second, when at twelve years of age, his dear mother passed.
During World War I, he was a second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He had already married Edith Bratt by this time. The separation was long and hard as it was for many during that time. Life was a journey and he was facing it head-on.
September 21, 1937, marks the publication day of his first novel The Hobbit. It is here, we begin the matter-of-fact journey into mythical creatures and beings not yet imagined. The world was suffering from the great depression, the Hindenburg disaster, and the dust bowl not to mention Hitler was setting the stage for Germany’s world domination campaign. The campaign against the Jewish people was just beginning as Tolkien introduced his imaginary world with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves to mention a few.
Join us on a quest to remember and honor this creative mind by reading either again or for the first time one of his fantasy novels. Perhaps, you haven’t read his commentary on Beowulf and would enjoy it. Try a book about Tolkien or his worlds. Find them all at Discover Books.
