A Storied Friendship: A Look into the Lives of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien

Abstract

This paper focuses on the monumental friendship between two iconic writers of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Meeting early during their careers as Oxford professors in the 1920s, the two men soon became close through their shared love of literature, language, and Christianity. Over the course of their 35-year friendship they enjoyed many powerful, enigmatic discussions and encouraged one another to pursue writing in their own ways. Out of this camaraderie The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, two iconic series of the modern age, were born. In these novels lives the powerful spirit and complex intrigue of both Lewis and Tolkien. Their complex imaginations, love of mythology, and above all fascination with the Christian narrative contributed to the success of their novels and are responsible for their continued relevance today. Without the support of the other, neither man seems likely to have completed their famous works on their own or to have developed such a strong and profound Christian faith. This paper seeks to explore the meaningful friendship that so shaped the personal lives and careers of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.