Tolkien Research

Wah Wing · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 1:13 am

Hello hobbyists.
In school, I'm tasked with a 6 page research paper with topic of my choice. Obviously, it's on Tolkien.
It says I need an interview as a source for my paper along with the usual books and other sources. But my teacher said an email interview would have to do since there's not many to ask about Tolkien personally.
If there's anyone out there that could help, I would be very relieved and grateful. I just need to ask a few questions about Tolkien and his work but I'm still thinking of the questions to ask. So in the meantime, just let me know if you're interested and I'll try to keep it brief and get those ?'s figured out.
Thanks a bunch!

Draugluin · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 9:25 pm

If you need info on Tolkien and have the EE of the movies, the bonus disks have a good deal of stuff about him. It will be a PAIN to watch (sarcasm) but will most likely be worth it.

GothmogtheWerewolf · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:25 pm

If you do need any help I would be happy to be off assistance, as long as it isn't during the next week or so.

Meneldil · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 10:59 pm

I could help a bit too propably.

Wah Wing · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:06 pm

I actually need it this week for Thursday. I still have no idea what would be good questions to ask to include in a paper.

Oh wait! Here's one:
What happened in Bloemfontein, South Africa - where he was born - with the big hairy spider incident? I read somewhere that because of this, it most likely influenced later writings; hence the appearance of Shelob.

valpas · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:17 am

Hi Wah Wing,

You would probably get a better grade for your paper if you asked people questions about their relation to Tolkien, not something that you would eventually be able to find from a book yourself. Things like Tolkien's meaning to the person's life, or if they are participating in some Tolkien-related hobby then questions about that. Then you can for example show that Tolkien is meaningful even today to many people or other things you can't find from books. Interview as a source is not usually meant to be used so that you write quiz questions and the interviewees go to Wikipedia or Tolkien's biography to find answers. Get personal!

-- Pasi

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 10:26 am

They only gave you a few days for a 6-page "research" paper???? I know the internet speeds up access to information but that's crazy. What happened to a chance to actually RESEARCH! That's an exercise in google and plagiarism.

Perhaps you could do the paper on the Middle Earth wargamming hobby. Research is something you have already been involved in. You can spend a little time with who Tolkien was and the popularity of his work over decades. Mention a little background on miniature wargamming. Then a little more specifics on the current two largest ME wargames on the market, SBG and WotR. Go over the basic mechanics of each, similarities, differences. Talk about any large events / tournaments in your area.

Interviews could be fellow hobbiests, local or distant, that could explain why they play, what's more important to them (the game or ME theme), etc. You may also have a chance to interview local businessmen about why they run a game store, what they think of the hobby, etc.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:21 pm

^ great idea right there.

Wah Wing · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:39 am

valpas wrote:

Hi Wah Wing,

You would probably get a better grade for your paper if you asked people questions about their relation to Tolkien, not something that you would eventually be able to find from a book yourself. Things like Tolkien's meaning to the person's life, or if they are participating in some Tolkien-related hobby then questions about that. Then you can for example show that Tolkien is meaningful even today to many people or other things you can't find from books. Interview as a source is not usually meant to be used so that you write quiz questions and the interviewees go to Wikipedia or Tolkien's biography to find answers. Get personal!

-- Pasi

Alright. I see where your coming from. What about these questions:

What grabbed your attention when you first encountered Lord of the Rings?

Why do you participate in a hobby such as SBG, WotR, or just the painting aspect?

Are there any groups that you've started because of Tolkien or LotR?

Why do you bother to answer questions from curious hobbyists? :lol:

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 2:38 pm

Viruk interviewed me a couple of years back. We could tweak that to include a bit more Tolkien if you like?

http://www.one-ring.co.uk/kb.php?a=142

Draugluin · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 3:06 pm

Wah Wing wrote:

Alright. I see where your coming from. What about these questions:

What grabbed your attention when you first encountered Lord of the Rings?

Why do you participate in a hobby such as SBG, WotR, or just the painting aspect?

Are there any groups that you've started because of Tolkien or LotR?

Why do you bother to answer questions from curious hobbyists? :lol:

1. The story. The characters. The storytelling. Basically everything. When I was younger (as in 3rd grade) I started reading LotR, and the entire book just captured my interest in a way that few books since have been able to do. The sheer depth of the story, which is only scratched upon in LotR, was enough to make me read it not just once, but about 5 times since.

2. I participate in LotR hobby for the gaming. The fact that I can control the actual characters is what drives me in game. Although, it is hard to play certain games, like Isengard versus the Last Alliance.

3. Heck yes. We call it the "Nerd Squad" and we participate in "Nerdfests". Basically we just play videogames, play SBG, have sword fights (with fake swords of course) and talk about LotR.

4. Because LotR is awesome and fun to talk about. :-D

Wah Wing · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:20 pm

ukfreddybear wrote:

Viruk interviewed me a couple of years back. We could tweak that to include a bit more Tolkien if you like?

http://www.one-ring.co.uk/kb.php?a=142

I'm a little confused. What do you mean by "tweak?"
Tweak the questions or the answers?
Thanks! :-D

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:35 pm

Both I guess. Some of my answers could credit him a lot more with pulling me into the hobby as I find transforming his written world into a 3D one through sculpting to be an enjoyable pastime.

Also you could add some questions of your own which I will of course answer for you. Plus you could cut some of the stuff that isn't really relevant to the project.

There is a good interview of Peter Jackson by Stephen Fry on youtube as they both discuss Tolkiens writing style.

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