‘The Lord of the Rings’ is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out practically all references to anything like ‘religion,’ to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and symbolism.
It’s a job that’s never started that takes the longest to finish.
I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence.
