Is 'The Lord of the Rings' a Classic Novel?

If someone defines a classic as 'an outstanding example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality,' then the answer is yes. 'The Lord of the Rings' (LOTR) holds a significant place in literature and has a major impact on both popular culture and academic discourse. Whether or not it is considered a classic can be a matter of personal opinion.

A Masterpiece of English Writing

'The Lord of the Rings' is undoubtedly a masterpiece of English writing. It features wonderful imagery, brilliant conception, and characters who develop and grow despite facing terrible circumstances. Tolkien created characters that are deeply engaging, such as the Ents and Gollum, even though the latter is loathsome and full of malice. Despite his flaws, Gollum and his insane obsession play a crucial role in saving the West.

Academic and Popular Reception

My own experience as an English major reveals that LOTR was rarely a routine course offering. I never had the opportunity to study the book in class. However, it has attracted significant scholarly attention, and the cynical part of me imagines that a scholarly work on Tolkien might sell better than one on Virginia Woolf or James Joyce. In the world of taxonomy, LOTR presents a unique challenge—it has elements that sit at the crossroads of myth, philology, and genre.

Defining a Classic Novel

The term 'classic' can be subjective. What is a classic novel anyway? To gauge whether 'The Lord of the Rings' is a classic, one can look at it through the lens of the Modern Library's definition. According to them, a classic is a work that stands the test of time and is widely regarded as significant. Despite its widespread popularity, 'The Lord of the Rings' can be seen as a unique case, partly due to its genre and partly due to its deep roots in ancient epics.

A Complex Work with Sui Generis Characteristics

The book rethinks ancient mythological themes and sagas to create an adventure story with an incredible background and scope. Tolkien took old material and made it relevant for a contemporary audience. However, many of his characters fall short, with only Frodo, Sam, and Gollum being worthy of indepth discussion. While the plot gives Gandalf and Aragorn a sense of complexity, this depth is not always present in their development.

Ultimately, 'The Lord of the Rings' is a bold, passionate, and individual work. It can be seen as both radically original and profoundly conservative at the same time. It takes guts to use archaic phrases like 'Lo!' and 'Behold!' in a modern work. Critics argue that while Tolkien is certainly not plumbing new depths of the human psyche or reinventing the form, 'The Lord of the Rings' is a classic but not at the very top tier of the pantheon of great works.