KC Podcast - Episode 117: Passing the Baton

Tolkien Likes Northern Europe and Disses Hitler

"I have spent most of my life, since I was your age, studying Germanic matters (in the general sense that includes England and Scandanavia). There is a great deal more force (and truth) than ignorant people imagine in the 'Germanic' ideal. I was much attracted by it as an undergraduate (when Hitler was, I suppose, dabbling in paint, and had not heard of it), in reaction against the 'Classics'. You have to understand the good in things, to detect the real evil. But no one ever calls on me to 'broadcast', or do a postscript! Yet I suppose I know better than most what is the truth about this 'Nordic' nonsense. Anyway, I have in this War a burning private grudge - which would probably make me a better soldier at 49 than I was at 22: against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler (for the odd thing about demonic inspiration and impetus is that it in no way enhances the purely intellectual stature: it chiefly affects the mere will). Ruining, perverting, misapplying, and making for ever accursed, that noble northern spirit, a supreme contribution to Europe, which I have ever loved, and tried to present in its true light. Nowhere, incidentally, was it nobler than in England, nor more early sanctified and Christianized..."
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien pp. 55-56

Comments

Dale Melchin said…
hmmm what is he saying?
Erica said…
"that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler"
Excellent :D