Interesting discovery?

Question

I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.
J. R. R. Tolkien
British scholar & fantasy novelist (1892 - 1973)
With this quote from the lord of the rings author isn't it interesting that he and C.S. Lewis (author of the chronicles of narnia) were such good friends considering all the chronicles of narnia is basically allegory?

yes you're right i'm sure there are plenty hardline democrat and republican friends

Answer 1

Well, if the quote is correct, he did say "cordially". I think he respects the good use of it. He respects more the use of intellect and imagination while telling a story, even one that has a moral and purpose to it. While Narnia is allegorical sometimes, it is not a pure allegory much of it is more of an extended metaphor. It is much more imaginative and borrows from so many different fields.
I think Tolkien was merely trying to point out the abuses and unimaginative uses of it, as it was extremely popular then to write "allegorical" works that have some religious and/or political bent to it. Pure allegory is more like Pilgrim's Progress by Bunyan. That, I think Tolkien would have disliked, even being a Christian.

Answer 2

You'd think it would be odd, but I can relate. I am someone who hates anything remotely artistic-- literature, fine arts, music etc. Yet all of my very best friends are the type of people who are into those very things.

Answer 3

I don't think it interesting at all. You can disagree with someone's opinion whilst respecting it, right? Why would their different ideas/beliefs affect their friendship? It's like saying a die hard democrat couldn't be friends with a die hard republican. All aside, friendship is friendship, don't you think?

Answer 4

I guess you like the person; not the book(s).

Answer 5

Yeah...