Oxford Poetry 1915

This collection includes a very early poem by Tolkien, Goblin Feet. I acquired this copy of the third printing from Daerons Books. Tolkien had many regrets about publishing this poem. It depicts the fairy world as cute and diminutive, a point of view he thought detestable. However, the poem does convey Tolkiens lyrical style that later emerges in numerous other poems, especially those composed or sung by Hobbit characters, such as The Man in the Moon, sung by Frodo in Bree. Tom Bombadil also sings songs with this same rustic fairy tale quality. In a number of places in the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien contrasts this style with the elevated style of the Elves, especially the elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien. I recall a passage in which Aragorn has little confidence in the skills of Bilbo to compose a poem about the Elder Days that might compare to the poetry of the elves in Rivendell. In this way, I think Tolkien contrasts the childish poetry about the fairy world, represented by Goblin Feet, with the poetry of real elves, as if genuine representations of fairy have been lost by these poor, grossly inaccurate representations of it.

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