: : We all love Tolkien and enjoy making his work our own, a part of us. Many of us look forward with excitement and trepidation to the possibility that it will become OVER-popularized and in some way debased by the films. I hold some of these fears myself, although I find myself in both of the above-mentioned camps. However, if we believe "in the 'lowest common denominator' theory that states that if something is popular enough it can't be good!" we are raising a tough issue. Tolkien IS already popular, one of the most popular authors of all time. And it is this very popularity that prevents Tolkien from being admitted to the "authorized" literary canon. Only in the late 60's and early 70's was Tolkien taught as Literature in the U.S. university system. Now, the opinion is tht if he is so popular he can't be good. It is a dangerous Catch 22 with which we play here. . . Do we wan't him to remain unpopular? (TOO LATE), or do we want his popularity to rise to such a level that he will have to be taken seriously, even by the literary canon? (Is this even conceivable?)

: : Just a thought.

: The difference between the typical overpopularised theme and Tolkeins theme is that Tolkeine theme has much more to it. The idea of an entirely different world that has been based on myths and lore already existent in this world has more availability to be popular, before it becomes too popular. Altough not quite, it's almost like a religion. (I do not look forward to the incoming tide though)

I comprehend the point that you are making, at least in part, and I agree with the assertion. I would ask you, and the others on this board, if you think that any good can/will come of a mass popularization of the Lord of the Rings? Might it urge the literature to be considered more seriously? Might such a popularity result in Tolkien bulling himself back into the literary canon by sheer popular demand? Or will the reverse be true? Will the high popularity be more apt to forever relegate Tolkien's works as pulp fiction (even though we all know that it is anything but)?