What should I ask him?
What would you ask a Lord of the Rings’ expert if you had the opportunity? Well, you have such an opportunity. Dr. Michael N. Stanton is Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Vermont and author of Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards: Exploring the Wonders and Worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Dr. Stanton taught a class on Tolkien’s great epic for over 25 years and has graciously agreed to be interviewed by me for the benefit of Eucatastrophe readers. So, what should I ask him? What do you want me to ask him?
Here's part one of the interview.
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[...] I love Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings. So this post title caught my eye: “Tolkien Tuesday: The Gospel and Our Hobbit-Like Peril“. It’s a great read, compliments of Eucatastrophe. (By the way, that blog will be posting an interview soon with a Tolkien expert, details here.) [...]----- -------- Read More
1) What is your favorite scene/circumstance in LOTR and why?
2) Which character do you most identify with?
Which character do you consider to be the true hero of the story?
What is up with Tom Bombadil?
Who/what is he? Where did he come from?
maybe that is a dumb question but I have always wondered about that.
How has the Scriptures' teaching on the nature of evil influenced the way you read/understand LOTR?
How has the Scriptures' teaching on redemption by grace alone influenced the way you read/understand LOTR?
How has the Scriptures' teaching on "idols of the heart" influenced the way you read/understand LOTR, particularly parts that deal with the corruptive power of the Ruling Ring?
Did Tolkien even mean for this to be an allegory?
Is there supposed to be a Christ character and if so who?
Are the undying lands a reference to Heaven (I assume yes)?
What part does Gollum play in regards to the story of the Bible if it is an allegory?
Who does redemption ultimatley come through in the story?
Did Tolkien succeed in his own quest to write an epic for England? If so, in what ways; if not, where did he fall short?
Could it be argued that the entirety of Tolkien's works, especially the Silmarillion are closer to an epic than the mere excerpt which is The Lord of the Rings?
The tragic figures of Fëanor and Túrin loom large over the early Ages of Middle-earth. Does Frodo continue this tradition of tragic characters?
Obviously Tolkien identified strongly with the love between Beren and Luthien. Do you think he identified himself with Beren in additional ways?
Ask him where I can score some Longbottom Leaf.
Dr. Mike,
You asked some heavyweight questions! I'm eager to read how Dr. Stanton answers them.
Milton,
You asked an extremely hilarious question (one to which I would like to hear the answer as well)! Thanks!
Dan
I hope I'm not too late. I didn't want to be hasty with my questions.
1. If you gained the ONE RING (we all know you would take it if you could) how would you change the stories and why?
2. What made Tolkien keep at the story? The ambitious scope of his work is baffling. What drove him to see it through?
3. What other writer do you think achieve or approach the genius as Tolkien?