AUTHOR’S GAB, READER TALK.
A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.
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THIS MONTH: The Inklings
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Dear Readers,
From 1933 to 1949, a group of pivotal thinkers, called “The Inklings” formally convened on Thursday evenings to talk about literature. They also met regularly until at least 1963 at The Eagle and Child, a pub in Oxford, England, for lunch, often casually discussing similar purposes. While membership was always informal and flexible, the group always included two literary masterminds: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The two, who became friends in 1926, often also challenged each other literarily, infused with the cross-fertilization of ideas at The Inklings’ discussions. Tolkien helped Lewis become a Christian and Lewis was instrumental in getting Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” published successfully. An upcoming film, called “The Lion Awakes”, details their friendship from Lewis’ perspective, emphasizing just how heavily one influenced the other.
When I studied at Taylor University, I had the chance to visit Oxford and go to The Eagle and Child. There, I learned of a monumental, mental duel. The Inklings were meeting as usual in The Eagle and Child, when a great debate arose. Who among them could write the best fantasy? Squabbling over it for some time, they eventually bet on it. Each member wrote a fantasy manuscript for publication, including Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” and Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. In the end, Tolkien and Lewis tied for first, a battle that rages to this very day.
But, after searching the Internet for this very information, I could not find anything on it. It seems this “great debate” is no more than a legend, lavished on by fans of the genre. Yes, The Inklings were a group dedicated to academia, regularly discussed literature and refined their work by sharpening it on each other, as Proverbs says, but there does not seem to be a record of such a debate occurring. But, there is still no way of confirming the information one way or another.
As I have enthusiastically anticipated writing about this to you for months now, such news was a great disappointment. I had intended to display the merits of both cases and voice my opinion on the argument. Nevertheless, I have come to realize my own logical folly. If comparing two literary masters, like Lewis and Tolkien, there is no need to overemphasize their influence on each other, nor wag one’s merit over the other’s work. Certainly, Lewis and Tolkien both wrote great fantasy, both lauded as classics until this day. Therefore, if they both equally criticized each other and wrote equally great works, then they were both evenly matched, independently great authors. Thus, no competition exists.
Thus, there is no reason to immediately assume or label any critique as competition. Even if Lewis and Tolkien’s bet is reduced to mere folklore, we can certainly glean this valuable lesson about writing from their discussions within The Inklings. This is not to say critique of one’s own work is not invaluable, as The Inklings’ influence on its members produced many unforgettable works. This practice still exists today in many English classes and intellectual discussions, and, I imagine, will not go away in the near future. Yet, labeling critique as competition is letting our pride needle into how we view our writing and the writing of others. This is letting arrogance dictate how we respond to critique, a practice ultimately leading to fallacy, as the legend surrounding The Inklings proves.
Therefore, an old attitude toward receiving critique emerges: accept it. Put your feelings aside and consider what others have to say about your work. Make sure, of course, your work is ready for dissection, and if critiquing, be brutal. And, whatever you do, do not take what others have to say personally, because this is not a critique of you, but your work. If comparing “the greats” take a similar attitude, for it is just as useful in this situation as in critiquing your own work or that of a peer.
If you wish to pick up any of the works of The Inklings, some of their other prominent members included Charles Williams, Own Barfield, Warren Barfield, R.E. Harvard, and Christopher Tolkien. Have a great July, people! Happy writing!
Sincerely, Your Author,
Jessica A. McLean
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The Rose 