Ancestors Quote by J.R.R. Tolkien
““If I am to understand that you are enquiring whether I am of Jewish origin, I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people. My great-great-grandfather came to England in the eighteenth century from Germany: the main part of my descent is therefore purely English, and I am an English subject—which should be sufficient. I have been accustomed, nonetheless, to regard my German name with pride, and continued to do so throughout the period of the late regrettable war, in which I served in the English army. I cannot, however, forbear to comment that if impertinent and irrelevant inquiries of this sort are to become the rule in matters of literature, then the time is not far distant when a German name will no longer be a source of pride.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to a publisher, 1939
The author expresses pride in his German heritage while lamenting that such background inquiries may become unacceptable, reflecting on identity and prejudice.
In simple terms: Pride in heritage, fear of prejudice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal identity beyond external labels.
Themes
identity
heritage
prejudice
pride
culture
Mood
reflective
defensive
Type
personal
historical
When to use this quote
- academic interviews
- public debates on ethnicity
- personal memoirs
Key Concepts
nationalism
social perception
literary reputation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural background influence artistic work?
- Should personal ancestry be relevant to literary merit?
A Different Perspective
Such inquiries can stifle creative expression and lead to discrimination.
