Legendary Friends:Lewis and Tolkien’s Mutual Influence in

Life, Writing, and Career

What Are We Tolkien About?

C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. TolkienChristians, Mythologists, and University Professors (Oxford & Cambridge)Modernly Popular (Narnia, Lord of the Rings) J.R.R. Tolkien

Research QuestionDoes Lewis and

Tolkien’s relationship bleed

into the text of Fellowship of the

Ring?

C.S. Lewis

MethodologyQualitative Research

Methods: Read Biographical

Books, Journals, Articles, and Primary Sources

(read: Letters) Amalgamated my

findings about their friendship into five core

characteristics. Research brought to you by: Starbucks

Characteristics As Seen In Lewis and Tolkien’s Friendship

Characteristic 1:Suspicious, Then Respectful, Then

Warm

Lewis and Tolkien were initially not fond of each other.

Opponents in Oxford curriculum dispute.Mutual Mythology

Through mutual interest came mutual regard—respect, but not warmth.

Gradual WarmthConfidantes and refuge amidst literary life.

Characteristic 2: Unswervingly Loyal

Each writer knew the other’s potential, and wanted each other to achieve it.

Lewis acknowledged that his part in Tolkien’s writing was often carried out to the point of nagging (Glyer, 55)

Tolkien improved Lewis’ writing by serving as a literary audience. Authors write to an audience; Tolkien improved Lewis’ writing by being a part of his literary audience.

Each man helped the other navigate arduous political life at Oxford.

Characteristic 3:Courage-Giving

Lewis and Tolkien’s encouragement held to the original meaning of the word: “To give courage.” The men served as resonators for one another—providing courage to face deadlines, critics, and doubts.

Characteristic 4Unity of Direction, Diversity in Perspective

Lewis and Tolkien shared many commonalities, but they also had disparate perspectives.

Theology of Marriage, for example.

Their tension was a productive one. Tautness, not fracture

Characteristic 5Cold, At Times

Lewis and Tolkien’s frankness sometimes became more than frank: it became openly hostile.

Tolkien’s Overt disdain for Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia

Lewis’ Marriage to Helen Joy Davidman

Eventual Distancing (especially in Tolkien)

CharacteristicsAs Seen in Fellowship of the Ring

1. Suspicious, Then Respectful, then Warm

Seen poignantly in the friendship of Sam and Aragorn.

Initial hesitance to allow Aragorn to join the quest.

Gradual (begrudging) respect.

Eventual transition to confidantes.

Also demonstrated in Legolas and GimliFirst resentful

Then begrudgingly respectful

Then warm (seen in sibling-rivalry relationship)

2. Unswervingly LoyalSeen in Frodo and Sam

Especially seen in Sam as Frodo departs for Mordor: “I’m going to Mordor, Sam,” Frodo said. “I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I’m coming with you!” (Tolkien, 460)

3. Courage-GivingGandalf and Aragorn consistently provide both courage and direction to the company.

In the wilderness, Aragorn says, “There is still hope. You are not alone…” (Tolkien, 90)

4. Unity in Direction, Diversity in PerspectiveThis is seen in the general idea of a Fellowship Boromir and Aragorn also embody this characteristic.

Especially with navigation.

* “Just ask for directions, already!”

5. Cold, At TimesSeen in Gandalf and Bilbo’s relationship.

Gandalf knows the ring’s sinister power, Bilbo lusts after it. Confrontation ensues. (Tolkien, 34)

Seen in Boromir’s Lust for the Ring

This Divides the Company near the end of the Fellowship: Frodo and Sam go one way, the rest go another way.

Findings:Lewis and Tolkien’s Friendship is interwoven into the concepts of Friendship that arise from the text.

Not allegorically represented, but their friendship likely influenced Tolkien’s writing of Lord of the Rings.

So What?Not all of us are

literary; but we all have a story.

Write yours with people who help you see the

world from Jesus’ perspective, who

challenge your doubts, and who encourage you

to achieve your potential.

Sources:Duriez, Colin. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship. Mahwah, N.J.: HiddenSpring, 2003.

Glyer, Diana. The Company They Keep: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as Writers in Community. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2007.

Green, Roger Lancelyn, and Walter Hooper. C.S. Lewis; a Biography. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1974.

Lewis, C. S., and W. H. Lewis. Letters. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1966.

Linder, C. Ethan. My Own Personal Insights, Biases, and Life Experience. Wesleyan Publishing House, 1995.

McGrath, Alister E. C.S. Lewis: A Life : Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013.

Sayer, George. Jack: A Life of C.S. Lewis. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1994.

Tolkien, J. R. R., and Humphrey Carpenter. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981.

Tolkien, J. R. R. The Lord of the Rings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.