Tolkien in Pawneeland
by Roger Echo-Hawk
Here's the story. Charles, our neighbor across the back fence, was talking to me one evening. He is an avid Tolkienite - a member of The Grey Haven group. Also a member is Roger Echo-Hawk. Charles knows I like the major books by Tolkien and so he asked if I would like to read this book - Tolkien in Pawneeland. I said yes, so he gave me a copy for Christmas (well - he said it was a Christmas present - but he really just gave it to me.) So I read it.
The premise - While Tolkien was at Oxford there was a book in their library about the traditions of the Pawnee Indians in America in the Oxford library. This book presents evidence that Tolkien probably read those traditions and used concepts in his legendarium. Interesting though, especially since Tolkien said he was writing a European/English mythology and didn't want to use other non-European primitive traditions. The book makes some interesting arguments to establish the basis that Pawnee legends might have influenced some of Tolkien's work. Some arguments are stronger than others. Does he make a good case. Perhaps he does.
The best case he makes is that in many of the stories where Tolkien might have used Pawnee traditions, Tolkien actually says he can not say where that part came from - or is it he will not say.
We must keep an open mind. But this premise can never be proved - or disproved.
Not an easy book to read - but for an open minded Tolkienite, it is interesting to ponder.
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