#aplit14pickingthework

The book that I chose to read is Catch 22. The reason I chose this book is because my dad said it was on of his favorites ever. He told me a little bit about it when I asked and I thought it sounded fairly interesting. So I chose it!

Tolkien wrote in one of his letters, "What I think is a primary ‘fact’ about my work, that it is all of a piece, and fundamentally linguistic in inspiration. [. . .] It is not a ‘hobby’, in the sense of something quite different from one’s work, taken up as a relief-outlet. The invention of languages is the foundation. The ‘stories’ were made rather to provide a world for the languages than the reverse. To me a name comes first and the story follows. I should have preferred to write in ‘Elvish’. But, of course, such a work as The Lord of the Rings has been edited and only as much ‘language’ has been left in as I thought would be stomached by readers. (I now find that many would have liked more.) [. . .] It is to me, anyway, largely an essay in ‘linguistic aesthetic’, as I sometimes say to people who ask me ‘what is it all about’." It is interesting to read this quote from Tolkien, because I would have never thought that the names came first and the story followed. I am amazed that he created whole languages just for a few books. Tolkien’s pursuit for knowledge and his imagination are what make his pieces so unique. It is evident that Tolkien enjoyed and was invested in writing these novels. Tolkien writes creatively, yet it is evident that much time and planning went into the stories to make them believeable. “Mellonnen! Mo evínedh?” is used by Lord Elrond to great Gandalf. The element of a made up language makes the story that much more interesting and real.

The style of the The Hobbit is archaic. This is made evident to the reader not only by the descriptions of the settings, but by the way Tolkien writes. He writes almost poetically and describes the scenes using imagery, similes and other literary techniques. A great example of his style is, “The lands opened wide about him, filled with the waters of the river which broke up and wandered in a hundred winding courses, or halted in marshes and pools dotted with isles on every side; but still a strong water flowed on steadily through the midst. And far away, its dark head in a torn cloud, there loomed the Mountain! Its nearest neighbours to the North-East and the tumbled land that joined it to them could not be seen. All alone it rose and looked across the marshes to the forest. The Lonely Mountain! Bilbo had come far and through many adventures to see it, and now he did not like the look of it in the least.”(174) It is evident in this passage that Tolkien writes in an eloquent manner. He describes, yet he doesn’t over depict a scenerio to the point where it would bore the reader. He uses personification in this passage to describe the land and the horrific mountain. His style compare to that of C.S. Lewis, which can be accredited to them both being British professors around the same time period. They were also friends who wrote novels of the same genre.

The Hobbit #4 I really enjoy the maps and images that fantasy authors tend to add into their novels. First, I find them helpful in understanding the story, but I also find them beautiful in their archaic style. The maps give the reader of how ancient the stories behind the stories are; they are an artifact to the travelers, and the reader gets the chance to understand and feel a part of the journey.

I have heard people say that The Hobbit is based off of or has themes from the Bible. In some respect I can see some similar themes; however, I do not see how it would be based off the Bible. After looking into this theory, it appears that many began saying this after they found out Tolkien was Christian. Many of the themes, like unexpected heroism and good versus evil, are aspects of many religions. The Hobbit is a story about living for a greater purpose, which is a value that many religions highly regard and even those who do not have a religion. It’s not like one can say Gandalf is like God and Bilbo is like Jesus, because they are mortals and possess human qualities.

Immediately, when I begin reading I feel a part of the adventure. Maybe some of it could be due to the fact that I like the fantasy genre, but it can also be accredited to the way Tolkien writes. Tokien uses vivid imagery, fantastical characters and suspense to lure the reader in. For example, Tolkien writes, “But the dwarves were all for supper as soon as possible just then, and would not stay. On they all went, leading then ponies, till they were brought to a good path and so at last to the very brink of the river. It was flowing fast and noisily as mountain-streams do of a summer evening, when sun has been all day on the snow far up above. There was only a narrow bridge of stone without a parapet, as narrow as a pony could well walk on; and over that they had to go, slow and careful, one by one, each leading his pony by the bridle. The elves had brought bright lanterns to the shore, and they sang a merry song as the party went across.” (47-48) This passage gives me enough detail so that I can imagine what Thorin and Company are traversing through. Tolkien makes the character seem so alive by using dialogue and descriptions to help the reader understand them. In addition, the reader gets to know the characters better through each event that comes up. The novel is filled with action, which leads to a constant feeling of suspense.

I chose the book The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck mostly because i knew it would have a lot of literary merit associated with it. I was debating between this novel and also The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd but decided that finding criticism for the Secret Life would be sparse to none whereas The Winter of Our Discontent and also John Steinbeck would probably contain an abundance of criticism for me to find and research.