Why Didn’t Tolkien Win the Nobel Prize in Literature?

The Nobel Prize in Literature is bestowed upon the writer most esteemed by scholars during their career. However, not every writer of merit achieves this honor. Case in point: J.R.R. Tolkien, who created one of the most beloved and expansive fictional worlds, never received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Why, you might wonder?

An Overview of the Nobel Literature Prize and Tolkien’s Contributions

Winning the Nobel Prize in Literature requires a prolific and lasting body of work. Academics recognize not just individual works but an entire body of literature that has stood the test of time. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were awe-inspiring, yet they comprised only a fraction of his expansive literary output. These works were largely written as hobby projects, primarily during his spare time while he was already an eminent scholar. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Tolkien was not primarily a writer but a scholar. The focus of the Nobel Prize in Literature is on an author’s entire body of work, rather than just a few popular books.

Academic Values and Author Selection

The genres and authors valued by scholars vary over time. Genres such as fantasy literature, often criticized by academics, were not at the forefront of scholarly attention when Tolkien was active. While scholars, including some of those who were once young and passionate readers of Tolkien’s works, have since become influential academics, Tim Garrett suggests that this recognition came late and was more of a posthumous acknowledgment. Tolkien’s works eventually became canonical, a status achieved by many beloved authors who were initially overlooked by the academy but gained recognition later in life.

The Case of J.A.A. Milne and C.S. Lewis

A similar situation exists with C.S. Milne and C.S. Lewis. While A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and C.S. Lewis’s writings were beloved, neither man’s body of work was considered for the Nobel Prize. Milne’s works are simple and rooted in childlike imagination, while C.S. Lewis’ Christian themes, while respected, did not meet the criteria for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Even C.S. Lewis, who garnered respect during his lifetime, did not receive a Nobel Prize. Hence, Tolkien was not invited to the same esteemed table as he never introduced groundbreaking techniques or themes into literature.

Tolkien’s Humble Admission and Innate Antiquity

Tolkien often attributed his lack of Nobel Prize to his being a professional antiquarian. He admitted in his writings that he was not a genius and that his prose style was antiquated. Even today, many of his admirers argue that his works were revolutionary, but Tolkien himself always emphasized the historical and linguistic precision behind his writings. For instance, during the same period that Tolkien was crafting his epic tales, Günther Grass was writing The Tin Drum. Grass’s work was more experimental, while Tolkien’s was rooted in a more traditional narrative structure, focusing on heroic myths and language preservation.

The Debates in Academia and Public

The Peter Jackson adaptations of Tolkien’s works have reignited a long-standing debate between Tolkien fans and literary scholars. While Tolkien was a cultural juggernaut and a major influence in modern fantasy, his acceptance in the literary academe was limited. Even J.R.R. Tolkien himself admitted that he did not invent anything new. Instead, he refined old approaches and cultural artifacts, much like a stone mason working with ancient stones rather than a sculptor creating something novel.

For many scholars, Tolkien’s body of work, while extensive and beloved, did not break new ground. His influence and appeal may stem more from the mastery of a classical style rather than pioneering new literary techniques. The debate on whether Tolkien deserved a Nobel Prize thus reflects the tension between popular appeal and critical acclaim in the literary world.

Conclusion

Tolkien, despite his pervasive influence and the deep appreciation of his literary works, did not win the Nobel Prize in Literature. This was due to the genre and style valued by academic institutions in his time, as well as the evolving nature of how scholarship and literature are perceived and recognized. While his works have earned cultural significance and a place in literary history, the particular nature of the Nobel Prize and the criteria by which it is awarded did not align with Tolkien’s contributions during his lifetime.