Is Lord Of The Rings escapist fantasy?

[Windwater Elf]

Do you think that Lord Of The Rings is an escapist fantasy kind of tale?

My answer is no. It is reality. The struggles faced by the main characters i.e. Frodo, Sam, Gandalf and Aragorn are what we experience in our daily lives, only in a different time and setting.

For example, Gandalf versus the Balrog. We will have to face our demons sometime or other during the course of our lifetime.

Another example is Legolas and Gimli who teach us to overcome racial hatred and prejudice.

Please state the reasons for your choice in the voting above.

[Sindarin]

I voted yes, since I believe Tolkien's Middle Earth offers a means of escape from our everyday lives. At least in my life anyway.

Although I do tend to agree with your analogy, Windwater Elf, about how the themes in LOTR seem to mirror that of our own sociology.

[Orkybash]

I think it depends on how you read it. Myself, I use it to escape into somewhere where my own struggles are nonexistant, replaced by the struggle of Frodo to throw the ring in. It feels comforting to read about the success of such a hopeless quest... makes my research paper that's due Thursday that I've barely started seem a lot less hopeless. ;) Then there's the matter of morality. It's always nice to escape into somewhere where you don't have to debate ethics and give specific reasons why Sauron is evil. He just is, and you know that. No need to preach about it.

It certainly wasn't written to be escapist, unlike a lot of fantasy today. However, I like to use it as an escape nonetheless.

[Windwater Elf]

Speaking of escaping, I have to agree with both of your comments above in that I read the book to forget about the problems I am facing in the office. I have a boss who really dislikes me but I am too old to leave my present job.

[Ithielnor]

I want to say BOTH!! because like orky I often will use it to escape, but it is also a good book from which to learn morals and wisdom.

[A! Elbereth]

I think both yes and no, but more towards no because of what Tolkien based this entire story on, with the help of CS Lewis, which is much (depending on what you believe and think) like reality.

But it is something to indulge and fantasize in when it comes to the history if the whole thing. The details and races... etc

[Yeshe]

I have to agree with you all. But remember, we a a group of Tolkien fanatics so the answer is one. LotR (well, whole endore actually)is my reality. The truth is...My only reality in which I can be happy.

[Mirkgirl]

I vote no. Definitely no. Because the characters and the things which happen there are, more or less, what happens in our lives… yes there are no hobbits, no elves, no istari etc… but everything happens by the laws of the real world (well mostly).
Tho you get carried away while reading it… but it does threat the problems of our world, although in an imaginary and a in some ways more “perfect” world. It saves you from the minor everyday problems, but still treats the important problems… if you understand what I mean.

[Iarfirithwen]

True, but just because something is escapist fantasy doesn't mean that you can't learn from it. Infact, I believe you can learn from anything if you choose. It could even be said every minute of every day we are learning something.

I agree with Windwater Elf that there are definitely those themes in there that people can learn from (unfortunately only if they choose to see them and think about them). I believe similar sort of things can be learned from traditional Myths and Fables. Indeed, some would argue that that's their point. But I think it would be wrong to describe LOTR as reality unless one were to firmly believe that Middel-earth existed.

Given the question above and the yes/no answer option I think you would have to qualify (as WindwaterElf did) what you mean by No if thats the way you answer. Some may say No, because they see it as an historical text, others might see the label of escapist fantasy as derogatory to Tolkiens work (personally I don't). So I said Yes to the above. While I believe you can learn from it (and I wish more people did) I consider it fiction and more specifically high fantasy. I also think it is wonderfully and delightfully escapist in nature.

Great question Windwater Elf :thumbs:

[Keverzwijn]

Voted yes, if you read about a other world that is fully developed with a history, languages, ... than you just wan't to be there, escaping this damn reality your facing every day. Having adventures you could only dream of in the real world. What I would'n give to be a hobbit, sigh.

[Iarfirithwen]

.... or an elf

....or even a half-elf
....or in indeed counted amongst the race of men ...
;)

[Daisy Gamgee]

I think it is escapist fantasy, and as Larfirithwen said, thats definately not derogatory to Tolkien - in fact, I think it shows how well written it is that you can imagine it so clearly and yearn to be there

....or in indeed counted amongst the race of men ...

.....or indeed married to the King of Men.....(I've got high ambitions when it comes to marriage;) )

[Rumil]

Like many I belive it is escapist but the values it demonstrates, like facing one's fears no matter how great and insurmountable they may seem. Are directly applicable to the real world, so it is relevant. One can get away from reality and return to it better equipped to deal with it for the experience.

[Thorondor of Manwe]

Yes, LOTR is an "escapist" fantasy. The books is, after all, a fantasy. Although many of us would like it to be "real," the fact is, it isn't real. Fantasy is defined as "a work of fiction portraying highly imaginative characters or settings that have no counterpart in the real world...such works, collectively , as a literary form...specifically, those works dealing with dragons, elves, etc..." LOTR is a work that fits the definition. And, it is a book that, because of its own inner realities, allows one to escape present reality and enter a different reality.

HOWEVER, "escapism" is defined as an act of an "escapist" who lives, or at least tries to, live in that imaginary world on an everyday basis. The main point is to understand that LOTR is a fantasy, and that we needn't go around with phony pointed ears covering our real ears, dressed in green hooded cloaks, and pretending to be hobbits. There are, of course, LOTR fans who so intensely want to beleive in LOTR, that they will, in fact, merge Middle-Earth with the real world. To do so would be an excess of esapism.

But, to get back to "fantasy." Another part of the definition of fantasy is "imaginative visionary." There is no doubt that Tolkien was a visionary. Using a composite of different mythologies, Tolkien incorporated universal problems that have, for all ages, plagued mankind. How to overcome these problems forms the central core of LOTR. And, to be able to do that takes a visionary.

Most important, Tolkien's universal themes uplifted LOTR from ordinary fantasy fiction into the realms of true literature. That is the defining difference between Tolkien's book and other fantasies.

[Adunauriel]

I think the book allow you to escape realtiy, but there not escapist... If you read the books, you realize quickly that the people of M-E still have their own set of problems. It is a fantasy thou, so you still have that fantasy element...:thumbs:

[Herenyë]

I said no because if you base it on your daily lives it does match out......and like what Windwater Elf stated i agree with that........

For me its like Sauron is the main evilness that we have to fight each and every single day......

Frodo and Sam, the always have faith and always stick together......like with our friends and ourselves.....Ourselves basically i think we always need faith and always have hope.....and thru thick and thin we stick together.....(thats me and my sister and family)

Arwen and Aragorn, when you devote yourself to someone (like marriage).....stick with them thru thick and thin and believe in what you have with your partner......always have hope and faith and think positive....

and yea heehee ;) hopefully you understand me heehee