Lord of the Gold Ring
The Boston Globe magazine has an article on how commercialism is spoiling J.R.R. Tolkien’s legacy.
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The Boston Globe magazine has an article on how commercialism is spoiling J.R.R. Tolkien’s legacy.
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6 Comments
Hmm…I say I agree accually. I’m a fan of both Tolkien and Jackson, but most people pretty much have absolutely no clue who wrote the books, and some of them don’t even know that it was a book!
To banish your son for just supporting the movie is very harsh. Very harsh indeed. Even though I love the books, there is a huge difference between the integerity of a book and a relationship with your son.
Anyway, I thought the article was too negative. Sure, some of this merchandising thing is getting out of hand. But the movies opened up Tolkien to a whole new generation (including me!). So I’ll buy the Pringles to enter the rotk contest and continue re-reading the books while I wait to learn I’m a winner.
While I do commend the movies for bringing Lord of the Rings to an entire new generation (albeit I think some of those who “read” the books because of the movie are FAR too young to really understand some of the more complicated and lasting themes), I do think that some of the merchandising has gotten out of control. The last thing I would have ever wanted was to associate the word “tacky” with anything relating to Tolkien, but when I see an Aragorn and Arwen Barbie doll set, I can’t help it. It’s tacky, it’s unnecessary.
hmmm… i understand why a company would try to make money off of the movies ect., and i am glad for some of it… but barbies? it makes me cringe to think of a six year old playing house with Aragorn and Arwen barbies…. it seems to me that lotr is not about that and its sad that it has become that, but i am sure that after all the craze dyes down the true fans will not forsake the books (sorry about the many spelling errors)
I completely agree with the arcticle. If they had just the movies (even though they weren’t true to the books completely) it wouldn’t be that bad. But now I hear about a Lord of the Rings “musical”, Lord of the Rings “puppet show”, Aragorn and Arwen Barbie dolls, Lord of the Rings “cell phone covers”, and all that merchandise. It has gotten waaay out of hand.
I have loved J.R.R.Tolkien’s work for many years and have read most of his writings including letters, lectures, translations, novels, etc. His work is truly great literature. I am glad for the attention being given to Tolkien’s works because of Jackson’s movies. It’s about time for a great and wholesome piece of literature, such as this, to be celebrated intead of the second-rate trash that is usually made into movies. I am having great fun watching my kids collect LOTR toys, posters, swords, etc. while I collect the books. They , too, have read the books (many times) and can now enjoy them even more. If you don’t like the merchandise, don’t buy it. But don’t spoil the fun for the rest of us. All of this probably won’t last much longer, but we will have lots of fun memories of being a part of it. And, yes, I bought the Barbie dolls for my daughter for Christmas. They are some of the few worthwhile Barbies that have been made!