“I don’t like allegories.”
- January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973
- Born in the Orange Free State (British)
- Author, linguist
- Wrote The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and built the foundations of modern fantasy literature
Quote
“I don’t like allegories.”
Explanation
This statement reveals a preference for direct storytelling over narratives that carry deeper, symbolic meanings or messages meant to represent something else. Allegories are often used to convey complex ideas through symbolic figures or events, which can make them feel overly didactic or heavy-handed. By rejecting allegories, the speaker emphasizes a preference for stories that allow for a more natural, immersive experience, without forcing the reader to decode or interpret hidden meanings beneath the surface.
Tolkien, despite creating rich worlds filled with symbolism, often distanced himself from the term “allegory,” particularly in relation to his works like The Lord of the Rings. He preferred subtext and layered storytelling that allowed readers to come to their own interpretations, rather than providing a clear moral or political message. Tolkien’s dislike for allegory likely stemmed from his belief in the autonomy of fiction; he felt that stories should stand on their own merit, without the author imposing an overt lesson or agenda. In this sense, Tolkien’s works, while deeply reflective of real-world issues, are not straightforward allegories but contain a richness of meaning that allows for a variety of interpretations.
In modern literary criticism, this stance is often associated with a desire for more organic storytelling—where the story and its themes arise naturally from the characters and world, rather than from a deliberate moral framework. Today, readers may be more attuned to recognizing allegories in works, but many still prefer stories that don’t explicitly tell them what to think. For example, in films or novels that explore political or social issues, some audiences may enjoy the freedom of interpreting the narrative on their own, rather than being told what the story “means.”
