Understanding Middle-Earth by Michael Martinez

Author:Michael Martinez [Martinez, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Criticism, Religion, Fantasy fiction; English, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Middle Earth (Imaginary place), Christianity
ISBN: 9781587761454
Publisher: Vivisphere Pub.
Published: 2003-11-17T07:00:00+00:00

Much has been made of this citation. Some people have gone so far as to call Tolkien a racist, alleging he was implying the Orcs were to be equated with Asian peoples. He is careful to say, however, that the Orcs were "degraded and repulsive versions" of those Mongol peoples who would be least attractive to European sensibilities. Some people have suggested Tolkien may have been referring to the Huns, who left an indelible mark in the western European psyche.

Whether the Orcs are intended to be "degraded and repulsive versions" of Huns is a mystery we cannot resolve, but it is clear that Tolkien felt a Mongoloid base was necessary for Orcish appearance. Not because he equated Asians with evil, or thought them ugly. But because he needed a human model which, when distorted beyond realistic appearance, might appear monstrous and corrupted. In fact, many Asian cultures represent demons and evil gods in a similar fashion. I feel Tolkien's choice was inspired by a broad understanding of mythology, and not by racism.

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