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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Tolkien in Letter #131, what is the source of magic in his stories?

2. How often does Tolkien write to Edith during the time they are separated?

3. Where is the man whose accent Tolkien refers to as "English after being wiped over with a dirty sponge" from?

4. What invention does Tolkien make when writing the poem being discussed with Unwin?

5. How many other men are traveling with Tolkien during his conversation about accents?

Short Essay Questions

1. What stipulation does Tolkien have in working with Allen & Unwin on publishing The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and what request do they have for him?

2. How are the letters for "To Unwin about The Hobbit" chosen and what information is left out of them?

3. How does Rayner Unwin first contact Tolkien, leading to his involvement with publishing The Lord of the Rings?

4. How does Tolkien describe the development of his penchant for stories in Letter #130?

5. What change does Tolkien consider and eventually make to The Hobbit in Letters #128 and #129, and why is it significant?

6. What observation does Tolkien make about his Middle English class to Mrs. E.M. Wright in Letter #6?

7. What are galleys in literature and how does Tolkien respond to the editing process of The Lord of the Rings?

8. What happened when the Elves and the Dwarves became friends in the past of Tolkien's fictional realm?

9. What request does Allen & Unwin have about Farmer Giles of Ham and how does Tolkien respond?

10. What is unique about Tolkien's poem, "Errantry"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Letter #246, Tolkien evaluates Frodo's heroic and moral qualities in The Lord of the Rings.

1) Describe Mrs. Eileen Elgar's observation of Frodo's actions and Tolkien's response to it.

2) Explain why Tolkien considers Frodo to be a non-hero, including the supporting logic he uses as well as your thoughts on his viewpoint.

3) Analyze Frodo's breakdown and the moral implications of it as well as the conclusions Tolkien makes from the event.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the stages of publishing for The Lord of the Rings, including the following:

1) The initial cover images, Tolkien's reaction to them, and how the publishers respond to him.

2) The galleys and what Tolkien realizes while revising his books.

3) The idea of including maps for Tolkien's imaginary world and how he involves Christopher in the process.

4) The varying tones that Tolkien uses in his letters while describing the events that are leading up to the release of his work.

Essay Topic 3

Describe Tolkien's views on parenting in Letter #246. Include the reasons why he thinks people either fear or are reluctant to become parents and the many benefits of having children that he writes about.

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