Middle earth Quote by Tolkien
““I met a lot of things on the way that astonished me. Tom Bombadil I knew already; but I had never been to Bree. Strider sitting in the corner at the inn was a shock, and I had no more idea who he was than had Frodo. The Mines of Moria had been a mere name; and of Lothloriene no word had reached my mortal ears till I came there. Far away I knew there were the Horselords on the confines of an ancient Kingdom of Men, but Fanghorn Forest was an unforeseen adventure. I had never heard of the House of Eorl nor of the Stewards of Gondor. Most disquieting of all, Saruman had never been revealed to me, and I was as mystefied as Frodo at Gandalf's failure to appear on September 22. J.R.R. Tolkien, in a letter to W.H. Auden, June 7, 1955””
About This Quote
Source Letter: J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden, June 7 1955
The narrator expresses awe at discovering many unfamiliar places, people, and events while traveling through Middle‑earth, highlighting how the world expands beyond prior knowledge.
In simple terms: Discovery of unknown wonders while traveling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity and explore the unknown.
Themes
exploration
wonder
growth
Mood
awe
curiosity
excitement
Type
literary
reflective.inspirational
When to use this quote
- travel
- reading
- role‑playing games
- creative writing
- historical research
Key Concepts
World‑building
character revelation
journey
Questions to Reflect On
- What unknown aspects of your world intrigue you?
- How does encountering the unfamiliar shape your identity?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes all readers share the same familiarity with Tolkien’s lore, which may limit its impact for newcomers.
![“We weren't born yesterday. We are from [New York]. But we are also from somewhere else. We are from Oz, from the Looking-Glass Land, from Narnia, and from Middle Earth. If with part of ourselves we are men and women of the world and share the sad unbeliefs of the world, with a deeper part still…” quote by Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/45c/frederick-buechner-883_dreams_we-weren-t-born-yesterday-we-are-from-ne_545586.jpg)
