"Letter to the Publisher"

"Letter to the Publisher"

21 September 1937

To: George Allen and Unwin Ltd, Publishers

Ormond House, 26-27 Boswell Street, London

Dear Allen and Unwin,

Today I was outraged to hear that you plan on marketing my novel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as a book for children. In your opinion, the story has too many fantastic aspects and is too whimsical to be advertised as adult literature. I hope I make it clear in this letter that nothing could be further from the truth.

You see, great literature has less to do with the topic it addresses as how it addresses that topic. Yes, my novel includes many fantastic characters, and events transpire that could never conceivably occur on the earth we know- but this aspect of childish appeal does not prevent adults from enjoying my book. The appeal of literature lies in its craft: how the various elements and ideas in a book weave together and become more than the sum of their individual parts. The details I included do not merely serve the purpose of entertaining children; they are chosen carefully to work on multiple levels and convey more meaning. One of my primary goals with the novel was to create a mythology that people in this day and age find more relatable. All of the names, from Gandalf to Mirkwood, are taken from Norse mythology and function towards this goal. Bilbo and the dwarves are not only going on a quest for the dwarves’ treasure; Bilbo is setting out on his own quest, for self-exploration and growth as a person (or hobbit). The geography of middle earth is more than just mountains and forests- these also symbolize the challenges Bilbo overcomes in his search for his identity. And of course there is Beorn, the half man half bear shape shifter. Could the metaphor for man having a dual nature be any more obvious?

I could go on, but I think I have made my point. I hope you will take these ideas into consideration as you move forward with the marketing of my work of art.

Yours in literature,

J.R.R Tolkien