Myth is not something in the past—it is alive, happening now.
Tolkien’s Desire to Create a Mythology for England
- He believed England lacked a true indigenous mythology, as the Arthurian legends were too recent and infused with Christian elements.
- Middle-earth was designed to be a primal myth, emerging from language and landscape rather than religious dogma.
- He wanted his mythology to feel as though it had always existed, as though it had been lost and then rediscovered.
Library of Light Edition 1.0 — Last revised: July 2025