J.R.R. Tolkien's Witty Response to a N* Party Inquiry: A Historical Snapshot

Mason Riverwind

Updated Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In a remarkable exchange that has captivated fans and historians alike, J.R.R. Tolkien, the esteemed author of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," demonstrated his sharp wit and unyielding principles when confronted by the N*** party during the prelude to World War II. A recent Tumblr post has brought this fascinating episode back into the limelight, showcasing Tolkien's brilliant retort to questions about his ancestry.

The Tumblr post, dated January 9, 2019, reveals a discussion between two users, vardaelcntari and nimium-amatirx-ingenii-sui. The first user, vardaelcntari, begins by recounting the story: "When *The Hobbit* was beginning its translation into German, Tolkien received a letter from the N*** party that asked him to prove he was A****. Tolkien responded that he wished he had Jewish ancestors." The post concludes with admiration for Tolkien's response, calling him "the Professor" and dubbing him "the King of Sass."

The second user, nimium-amatirx-ingenii-sui, provides additional context, clarifying that the letter did not directly come from the N*** party but from the publishing house interested in translating "The Hobbit" into German. They emphasize that Tolkien's response was indeed a "thing of beauty" and worthy of being quoted in full.

The exchange between Tolkien and the German publishing house is a testament to the author's eloquence and moral fortitude. When asked to prove his A**** heritage, Tolkien's reply was not only a refusal to comply but also a subtle yet powerful denouncement of the racist ideologies of the time. His declaration of wishing for Jewish ancestry was a bold statement against the anti-Semitic policies of the N*** regime.

The Tumblr post has sparked a wave of appreciation and commentary from users. One user remarked, "Tolkien going full professor on them with the A**** definition and linguistic basis," highlighting the author's scholarly approach to dismantling the flawed concepts of racial purity. Another user commented on the eloquence of British arguments, noting how ethos, logos, and pathos can be supplanted by a polite yet firm rebuttal.

This historical snapshot not only showcases Tolkien's remarkable character but also serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of standing up against bigotry and injustice. For fans of Tolkien and history enthusiasts, this story reinforces the legacy of an author who, through his works and actions, consistently championed the values of courage, wisdom, and integrity.

For more intriguing historical anecdotes and literary insights, stay tuned and delve deeper into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and his timeless contributions to literature and humanity.

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View source: Imgur

Top Comments from Imgur

Xecryo

Tolkien: Translate this you filthy casual!

Omnimorph2112

It's from a time where the English lived for the opportunity to pick up their ink pen and lay a beat down on someone in the most devastating letter they could. Guess we'll have to make do with the comments section instead

Protectandserve

Tolkien going full professor on them with the A**** definition and linguistic basis.

CrazyCatDaddy

On this subject. I hate being called “Caucasian” my family didn’t come from the Caucus mountains. People like to use that as a catch all for all white people. Which I believe was coined by the N*** Germans to begin with.

Neednoggle

In British arguments, ethos, logos, and pathos can be supplanted by you're wrong, I'm right, here's why, f*** you, if it's written politely enough.

AnOceanOfStars

I'll copy part of another comment I wrote on here a couple days ago, and add a bit: I'm in italy, the current government is made of literal fascists that are using democracy to slowly destroy democracy (like the first fascism did), and they constantly blabber about Tolkien trying to pass him for a "far-right intellectual". I can't express how f***ing disgusting that is, and what's worse between them clearly lacking the minimum necessary cognitive abilities to understand anything Tolkien ever >

TheOnlyPtylerdactyl

He demonstrates the appropriate response when a N*** asks you to justify anything: "f*** off, N*** s***lickers", in whatever phrasing you would prefer.

cytherians

And we have MAGA running around declaring themselves "Pure Blood." Well, purely human blood... but pure, as in perfectly pristine and mono cultured? No. We're all a big freaking melting pot of DNA. Deny it all you want, but the genetic difference from a white Anglo-Saxon man and a black man from the Serengeti is but a tiny fraction. In fact, if their blood type is the same (RH factor matching), they can accept each other's blood. So, FU, ignorant fascists.

HisRoyalMajestyKingV

I'm given to understand that Iran pretty much translates to "land of the A****s." Also, when moving to the US, my dad actually considered changing his last name to Arya. That might've been awkward when I'm history class in school, but would've otherwise been great, as it would've put me near the top of alphabetical order rather than the bottom, and it contains only 40% of the number of letters in my actual last name.

3leggedpup

Love that he gives the publishing house an out, saying, "I'm sure you're just complying with the law" and still criticizes the law for its irrelevance and bigotry. He's willing to understand those that he's speaking with, without conceding anything at all. Truly classy.