Chapter 2, From a Letter to Christopher Tolkien Summary and Analysis

3 April 1944, to Christopher Tolkien: JRR writes about real life, some of which includes remarks about his writing. He writes of genuine painful difficulties relating to writing part of The Hobbit. He then recounts a lovely rapport he establishes on a train with a couple of other men. One is an RAF man, whereas the other is an American. The Brits often call Americans in general Yanks, but in this case, it is especially true because the American man is from New England. "After I told him that 'accent' sounded to me like English after being wiped over with a dirty sponge," (p.69) shows that JRR's ability to write well shines through in these letters.

In letter #66, JRR is writing again to Christopher. This time, readers can tell that Christopher...