Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Reading Lord of the Rings could help prevent war, says prof
Ananova ^ | February 18, 2003 | Ananova

Posted on 02/18/2003 7:25:37 AM PST by MadIvan

A leading German literature professor says that reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings could help prevent war.

Thomas Kullmann, a 42-year-old professor from the University of Osnabrueck, said: "If adults read children's literature more often then we would probably live in a much more peaceful world.

"Fairy tales and other works for children may not be one-to-one with reality but they help excite the imagination. They give the reader new ideas that could even help solve political problems.

"Children's books can definitely help adults rethink a situation and help them assess political situations on a higher and even wiser level."

He added: "Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is a good example of a children's book that could help.

"It shows, in a spectacular way, how destroying an object can prevent world domination from one person or side."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Germany; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: frodo; gandalf; iraq; lotr; ring; war
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last
To: MadIvan
I only saw LOTR part one, and it was FULL of violent battles.
41 posted on 02/18/2003 8:36:45 AM PST by buffyt (Nach Frankreich: Sprechen Sie Deutsches? Nein? Bitte Schön.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
"It shows, in a spectacular way, how destroying an object can prevent world domination from one person or side."

Yup that is why we are going to destroy Saddam.

42 posted on 02/18/2003 8:39:13 AM PST by Mad Dawgg (French: old Europe word meaning surrender)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
Hi, Ivan!

I was wondering where that prof got his reasoning from?

43 posted on 02/18/2003 9:00:44 AM PST by Pippin (Pippin: Warrior Hobbit!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mountaineer; BigWaveBetty
"If adults read children's literature more often then we would probably live in a much more peaceful world. "

Just what we need, a nation of Michael Jacksons.


44 posted on 02/18/2003 9:10:22 AM PST by Hillary's Lovely Legs (Happy people live longer. I plan on living forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Hillary's Lovely Legs
Hmmmm. Separated at birth?

  

45 posted on 02/18/2003 9:35:27 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (®)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
"Lord of the Rings is a good example of a children's book" .....

I don't think of LOTR as a children's book(s) but as a tale that taps into fears, hopes, dreams, and ancient truths and symbolism that dwell in our consciousness all our lives

"It shows [how] destroying an object can prevent world domination from one person or side"

This is a pretty literal and shallow synopsis! It sounds like an excerpt from a middle-high school student's book report.

46 posted on 02/18/2003 9:37:52 AM PST by Eowyn-of-Rohan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tulsa Brian
I personally recite One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish before losing my temper

ROTFL...THAT is a children's book!

47 posted on 02/18/2003 9:40:24 AM PST by Eowyn-of-Rohan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: buffyt
You're missing something pretty terrific... go see the second one. You won't be disappointed.
48 posted on 02/18/2003 9:40:28 AM PST by pgyanke (Your local Vet Clinic/Taxadermy/Vietnamese Restaurant...one way or another, you'll get your dog back)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
He thinks it's a children's book? That pretty much sums up his intelligence in this matter.

I got out of LOTR that war is evil, destructive, horrifying, and the most terrible thing that could happen to the creatures of a world. I also learned that the advice given to Frodo at the beginning ("Don't go lookin' for trouble, and trouble won't find you," or something like that) is a complete lie. Sometimes you have to dip your sword in blood to keep beauty, truth, and goodness alive. And doing so doesn't make you evil yourself.

49 posted on 02/18/2003 9:53:33 AM PST by Democratic_Machiavelli (The most important part of a post is the sauce...I mean, source.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
Actually, I find that Fellowship would be a good allegory for Iraq: Evil building while those who should know better ignore it or side with it. A thought occurs: If using the same definition of "imminent threat" that our appeaseniks and members of Le Partie Democratique use, the leaders of Middle Earth could have concluded that Mordor was not an imminent threat to their lands.

It's no surprise to me that some readers thought that Tolkien was writing an allegory of free peoples vs. Nazi Germany.

50 posted on 02/18/2003 11:41:55 AM PST by Mr. Silverback (We don't care what you say, we're gonna bomb them anyway!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
It must have lost a lot. I'm in the process of re-reading the trilogy for the first time in twenty years and what I recall to be the main themes are the same. That is evil must be destroyed, it can't be bargained with or bought off, and delaying its destruction just makes it stronger and more dangerous.

It is not at all a pacifist work of literature. The battle scenes are graphic and unsparing (last night was the Siege of Gondor with mutilated heads of captured soldiers being catapulted over the city walls) and there is no quarter given to the soldiers of evil. Tolkien knew war first hand and understood how terrible it is. However, he didn't seem to believe surrender to evil was an option.

51 posted on 02/18/2003 11:59:50 AM PST by katana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Silverback
A thought occurs: If using the same definition of "imminent threat" that our appeaseniks and members of Le Partie Democratique use, the leaders of Middle Earth could have concluded that Mordor was not an imminent threat to their lands.

"Imminent" is now no longer good enough for them. I recently heard some whiny leftist say that action should only be considered when a threat was "extremely imminent". Of course, as with all their murky ideas, there is no definition of what that would mean. If Saddam's scud is sitting on the launch pad, and that's not good enough, is reentry "extremely imminent"? And if so, what does the leftist propose be done in those 30 seconds?

52 posted on 02/18/2003 3:17:02 PM PST by 300winmag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
That is the most asinine and foolish statement I have heard yet...well, excepting all the actor-worshippers who throng on TheOneRing.net...heaven forbid you should ever protest what Viggo writes on a stupid t-shirt, or what some of the hobbits say about the environment!!

And LOTR is NOT NOT NOT (I am sure you, MadIvan, and all the others here know this already...I am just venting)...a children's book!!!!! GAH!!!!!!

some excerpts from The Scouring of the Shire, if he thinks LOTR is about NOT going to war:

"We're not allowed to," said Robin.
"If I hear not allowed much oftener," said Sam, "I'm going to get angry."
"Can't say as I'd be sorry to see it," said Robin, lowering his voice. "If we all got angry together something might be done..."

"But if there are many of these ruffians," said Merry, "it will certainly mean fighting. You won't rescue Lotho, or the Shire, just by being shocked and sad, my dear Frodo."
"No," said Pippin. "It won't be easy scaring them a second time..."
...
"Raise the Shire!" said Merry. "Now! Wake all our people! They hate all this, you can see..."

53 posted on 02/18/2003 3:20:33 PM PST by Alkhin (He thinks I need keeping in order.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SquirrelKing
LOL! Very good.
54 posted on 02/18/2003 4:24:17 PM PST by ELS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg
bump
55 posted on 02/18/2003 4:25:04 PM PST by nutmeg (Liberate Iraq - Support Our Troops!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MrLeRoy
And pipeweed.

I admire you for your ceaseless quest anyway. LOL...granted you don't miss a chance to beat the drum do ya? At least this time you made me snort.

56 posted on 02/18/2003 4:53:15 PM PST by LowOiL (Tagline removed for the time being.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Heuristic Hiker
LOTR ping. :)
57 posted on 02/19/2003 8:37:07 AM PST by Utah Girl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-57 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson