"The Shire" is based on rural England and not any other cou… - J. R. R. Tolkien

"The Shire" is based on rural England and not any other country in the world... The toponymy of The Shire...is a "parody" of that of rural England, in much the same sense as are its inhabitants: they go together and are meant to. After all the book is English, and by an Englishman, and presumably even those who wish its narrative and dialogue turned into an idiom that they understand, will not ask of a translator that he should deliberately attempt to destroy the local colour.

J. R. R. Tolkien

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About J. R. R. Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (January 3 1892 – September 2 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, most famous for his classic high fantasy works.

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Also Known As

Pen Names: Oxymore

Native Name: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Alternative Names: J-R-R Tolkien • Tolkien • John Tolkien • J.R.R Tolkien • J.R.R. Tolkien • John R. R. Tolkien

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Stephen R. Lawhead Ursula K. Le Guin Lloyd Alexander George R. R. Martin Charles Dickens

Additional quotes by J. R. R. Tolkien

For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.

You can make the Ring an allegory of our own time, if you like: an allegory of the inevitable fate that awaits all attempts to defeat evil power by power. But that is only because all power magical or mechanical does always so work.

"Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.

"The Shire" is based on rural England and not any other country in the world... The toponymy of The Shire...is a "parody" of that of rural England, i… - J. R. R. Tolkien

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