War and Literature : Why J.R.R. Tolkien Can Be Considered A Secret Weapon Who Was In The Service Of His Majesty and Mi5 ?

Reading Time: 6 minutes

 

In the life of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the renowned author of The Lord of the Rings we forged this fascinating chapter that intertwines his literary prowess with the historical backdrop of World War II.

Authored by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien via Lord of The Rings Saga

J.R.R. Tolkien, the celebrated author of  The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings had a significant involvement in World War I and its aftermath. Serving in the British Army during the war, Tolkien notably participated in the Battle of the Somme, an experience that profoundly influenced his literary endeavors. His earliest works of the legendarium, including The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, were initiated during this tumultuous period, sparking scholarly interest in the potential reflections of the war and Tolkien’s experiences in his written work.

Tolkien’s journey during World War I unfolded as he graduated from Oxford University in June 1915 and subsequently obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers. He trained for eleven months in Staffordshire before being transferred to the 11th (Service) Battalion with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). In June 1916, his battalion was deployed to France, where Tolkien received training as a signals officer at the British Army camp at Étaples and was appointed Battalion Signal Officer. His responsibilities included maintaining communication between frontline officers and senior Army officers directing the battle from Battalion Headquarters behind the frontlines.

During his time in France, Tolkien’s battalion engaged in significant actions, including the Battle of Thiepval Ridge and the capture of Regina Trench. However, the harrowing conditions and prolonged tension took a toll on Tolkien, leading to his contraction of trench fever. This illness ultimately led to his repatriation and subsequent hospitalization in Birmingham, marking the end of his active service. The impact of the war, particularly his experiences in the Battle of the Somme, remained a profound influence on Tolkien’s life and work, resonating throughout his literary legacy.

Tolkien’s wartime experiences and their enduring impact on his writing have been a subject of scholarly exploration, shedding light on the intricate connections between his personal history and the creation of Middle-earth. Despite Tolkien’s deliberate avoidance of directly linking his writings to the war, the echoes of his wartime service and the indelible mark it left on him are evident in his literary masterpieces.

Despite his prominence as a novelist, Tolkien’s expertise extended beyond storytelling; he was a distinguished medievalist and a leading scholar of the Anglo-Saxon language. His profound knowledge led him to invent an entire language for the mythical tales set in Middle-earth.

Tolkien was a patriot, a soldier who risked his life in tough battles against the Huns. Simultaneously, he was a graduate of Oxford, and his superiors were likely aware of, or took interest in, his writing abilities. It is not surprising, therefore, that the English, in response to the resounding and relentless Nazi propaganda about the “chosen race” the Aryans, the Nordic myths, Odin, and Valhalla, which, among other things, were not solely based on fantasies but on historical cults and myths, engaged not only Tolkien but a string of talented writers to counterbalance the historical and primordial truths of the enemies.

Unfortunately, between the 1930s and the war years, despite the presence of great writers in the United Kingdom, those who truly sought to counter the Nazi ideology could be counted on the fingers of a single hand. We could mention Huxley, Orwell, and then? This is why Tolkien’s narrative work was “totalizing,” exclusive, and centralized as the sole literary weapon against the Nazi regime. Tolkien’s saga achieved every objective: instilling values in young children, future warriors of the realm, providing inspiration, support, and a shield for young adults who could have been overwhelmed and swayed by the emerging and “fascinating” ideology if they had not had the saga of The Lord of the Rings in their mental background, and for the elderly, who could be invigorated and thus not succumb to the ideological void of their realm threatened by a cruel foreign dictator.

Tolkien’s literary responses played a crucial role in challenging the narratives put forth by Nazi propaganda and promoting alternative perspectives during this tumultuous period.
A success signed in the dark by people who work in the shadows…

In summary,  during the tumultuous era of the Second World War, the British government, engaged in a relentless struggle against the German forces, recognized the potential value of Tolkien’s unique talents. His expertise in ancient languages and his imaginative creations caught the attention of British officials, who enlisted him as a spy against Hitler’s Germany. No proof or evidence of this would get a surface and it’s obvious the why.

Tolkien in the Middle-Earth

Forget the allure of a substantial financial offer, Tolkien, a brave soldier,  a patriot, a knight of His Majesty, then a professor at the University of Oxford, was certainly not able to decline the invitation to serve as a secret agent, but surely he obtained that this decision had to remain shrouded in mystery.

The narrative of Tolkien’s involvement with British military intelligence, his brief training in code decryption, and his subsequent “apparent refusal” to join the ranks of secret services unveils a lesser-known aspect of the author’s life. It sheds light on the intersection of his scholarly pursuits and the historical context in which he lived, adding a layer of intrigue to the legacy of the man behind the beloved tales of Middle-earth.

Tolkien’s steadfast commitment to his principles, as evidenced by his probable refusal despite the enticing compensation, underscores the depth of his character and the values he held dear. This episode, while veiled in leap of enigma, serves as a testament to the complex interplay between literature, history, and the individual choices that shape the course of events.

Tolkien was an agent in the service of His Majesty, then?

If J.R.R. Tolkien had been a MI5 agent or paid by MI5 to write his works, it would have significantly altered the perception and interpretation of his literary creations.

We know… there is no credible evidence to support the claim that Tolkien had any involvement with MI5. The available information does not substantiate this assertion. Who cares?

Tolkien’s writings, particularly “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” are renowned for their imaginative and intricate world-building, rich mythology, and profound themes. If it were revealed that Tolkien’s works were influenced or shaped by his association with a government intelligence agency, it could potentially lead to widespread reevaluation of his motivations and the underlying messages in his writings.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s saga can be interpreted as a powerful narrative against the Nazi ideology, despite Tolkien’s denial of intentional allegory.

It’s always nice to see how who controls the society applies the Negationism according to own interests and doctrines.
While Tolkien himself vehemently denied any racial allegories or allusions to real-life people in his works, various analyses have highlighted the potential parallels between his writings and the struggle against oppressive forces, including the Nazis.
Tolkien’s personal disdain for the Nazis is evident in his correspondence and actions. In 1938, he refused to work with a German publisher that requested proof of his “Aryan descent” due to Nazi regulations on Jewish participation in German cultural activities. Additionally, Tolkien expressed his disdain for the Nazis in a letter to his son, stating, “I have in this war a burning private grudge against that ruddy little ignoramus Adolf Hitler”.

Furthermore, the themes of resistance, the fight against tyranny, and the triumph of good over evil in Tolkien’s works resonate with the struggle against the Nazi regime. While Tolkien insisted that his writings were not allegorical, the context of the time in which he wrote, including the rise of Nazism and World War II, undoubtedly influenced his storytelling.

That’s also why nowadays Right Parties in Western world do use Tolkien’s saga to justify and inspire own politics.

While J.R.R. Tolkien denied intentional involvement in a counter-propaganda work against the Nazi regime, because if this detail were widely known and made public, it would discredit the entirety of his so-called and acclaimed masterpieces, however, nothing can compel us to alter what we are truly exposed to: Tolkien’s work was a success not only because of a truly astonishing, fantastic, and original story, but also because it served as a weapon, not unlike a nuclear blast.