J.R.R. Tolkien, best known as the brilliant mind behind “The Hobbit,” had to endure Nazi scrutiny. At the height of Nazi Germany’s oppressive regime, his hit novel caught the attention of German publishers. What began as a simple literary negotiation soon turned into a test of Tolkien’s values. Tolkien’s unwavering defiance against the Nazi regime also led Tolkien to pen one of the most scathing yet elegant replies. The Nazis demanded authors prove their so-called “Aryan” heritage before publication and what they received from Tolkien was furthest from.
Nazi Germany and Cultural Control
Under Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany launched a sweeping campaign to “purify” German cultural life. Joseph Goebbels, as Minister of Propaganda, banned works by Jewish artists and others deemed undesirable. Goebbels organized widespread book burnings and enforced strict racial laws on the arts. The Nazis demanded that anyone involved with German culture prove “Aryan” descent. They also eliminated Jewish people from participating in German cultural activities by demanding a license for them to do so.
Tolkien and “The Hobbit” Enter Germany
After “The Hobbit” was published in 1938, Tolkien’s British publisher, Stanley Unwin, began talks with a Berlin publishing house, Rütten & Loening, about a German translation. While a major opportunity, it also meant exposure to Nazi scrutiny. According to 1937 The Hobbit or There and Back Again Tolkien shared, in private, his disdain for Nazi “race-doctrine” as “wholly pernicious and unscientific.” At this time, the Nazi’s racial laws required even foreign authors to prove their Aryan status before German publication.
Are You Aryan?
The Berlin-based publishers, Rütten & Loening, formally asked Tolkien to submit proof of Aryan descent, to which he took intense insult. This was a prerequisite in Nazi Germany’s racial laws for foreign authors. Such inquiries were part of Nazi efforts to create a homogeneous cultural identity, excluding Jews and other groups.
Tolkien’s Views on Nazi “Race-Doctrine”
Tolkien’s opposition to Nazi racism is well documented. He often criticized anti-Semitism and the misuse of history by figures like Hitler. Privately, Tolkien detested Nazi racial ideology and actually praised his Jewish colleagues. In correspondence with his publisher, he threatened to abandon the German deal over his disapproval of the Nazi’s racist views.
On the question of his Jewish ancestry, Tolkien, in his reply to Rütten & Loening, he wrote ”I can only reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors of that gifted people.” Tolkien demonstrated adoration for his Jewish peers.
Tolkien’s Response
Tolkien wrote 2 responses to Rütten & Loening. The one sent was both polite and scathing, exposing the Nazis’ ignorance about “Aryan” origins while refusing to respect their requests. When asked to prove “Aryan” ancestry, he replied, “Thank you for your letter. I regret that I am not clear as to what you intend by arisch. I am not of Aryan extraction: that is Indo-Iranian.” Using his expertise as a philologist, Tolkien directly challenged the Nazis’ misuse of the term “Aryan.”
His Respect for Jewish People
Instead of denying Jewish heritage, Tolkien expressed regret at not being part of “that gifted people,”. He wrote, “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.” He reflected genuine admiration for Jewish culture and a subtle act of defiance, emphasizing that he respected and honored their contributions.Tolkien’s respect of Jewish people was deeply embedded, even in his work. Some scholars speculate that Tolkien modeled the dwarves in his Middle-earth tales on Jewish culture and history.
No German “Hobbit” Under Hitler
Tolkien proudly declared his English identity while acknowledging his German ancestral roots. His great-great-grandfather emigrated from Germany to England in the 18th century. Despite his Germanic surname, Tolkien emphasized his loyalty to Britain, noting he “served in the English army” during World War I.
His experience as a signals officer at the Battle of the Somme shaped his worldview profoundly. Tolkien witnessed the “animal horror” of trench warfare and lost close friends to German artillery. This trauma influenced both his anti-war sentiments and his opposition to fascist militarism.
Tolkien’s publisher ultimately chose the more scathing of the 2 letters. The German edition of “The Hobbit” was scrapped and didn’t appear until 1957, long after the fall of the Third Reich. Many foreign works were denied publication in Nazi Germany, or censored if they challenged state doctrine.
Tolkien’s Stand Against Racism
Today, Tolkien’s response is celebrated as a model of intellectual and moral courage. Scholars laud his anti-racist attitudes and direct opposition to Nazi ideology. His Jewish great-grandson Nicholas Tolkien honors this legacy through his Holocaust play “Terezin”. The young playwright describes his great-grandfather as “one of Britain’s most pro-Jewish writers” who stood against Nazi persecution. Today, Tolkien’s dignified defiance and influential literary work continues to inspire resistance to prejudice and intolerance globally.