By: Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:03:34 +0000

Hey, since you’re interested in the etymology of Tolkien’s words, I thought you might find this snippet from DBTEL interesting, even though it does not aid in understanding Tolkien’s world-view:
Golem: The golem (Hebrew “shapeless mass”… cf. Ps. 139:16) is a creature from Jewish folklore… After the 15th cent., under the influence of alchemical beliefs, the golem became a kind of beserker genie; one could impose tasks upon it, but as in Leivick’s play The Golem (ca. 1920) the creature could without warning wreak havoc upon its supposed master.
…When J. R. R. Tolkien has his sometime Hobbit Gollum devolve into a treacherous shapeshifter under the malign influence of the Ring, he may have these legends in mind.
David L. Jeffrey, A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature (Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans, 1992).
And you might enjoy Tolkien’s story, Leaf by Niggle.

By: Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:16:20 +0000

Interesting. Where did you read that Tolkien led Lewis to the Lord?
I’m interested to see what you discover about Tolkien’s faith.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:38:54 +0000

I am so glad to see you back here doing what you love and have sacrificed for so long. Hopefully you can return to a regular posting here so I can have something intelligent and interesting to read between calls!! (-;

Comments on: Tolkien’s Words and Fairy Stories

By: Mike Johnson

By: Mike Johnson

By: Gordon