Why Tolkien Still Matters with Professor Michael D.C. Drout

Why Tolkien Still Matters with Professor Michael D.C. Drout

From In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer by Frank Schaeffer

April 29, 2026 · 1h 33m · Season 6 · Episode 17

About this episode

Frank Schaeffer speaks with Professor Michael D.C. Drout about the enduring relevance of Tolkien's work.

Frank Schaeffer speaks with Professor Michael D.C. Drout about Tolkien’s work and why it continues to resonate. They explore themes of loss, beauty, and moral clarity, and talk about how Tolkien’s writing reflects the reality that everything meaningful comes with a cost. The conversation also touches on teaching, younger readers, and how grief shapes the way we understand stories. _____ LINKS The Tower and the Ruin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Creation _____ I have had the pleasure of talking to some of...

People in this episode

Host: Frank Schaeffer

Guest: Professor Michael D.C. Drout

Topics covered

  • Tolkien
  • literature
  • loss
  • beauty
  • moral clarity
  • grief
  • storytelling

Keywords

  • Tolkien
  • literature
  • loss
  • beauty
  • moral clarity
  • grief
  • storytelling
  • younger readers
  • teaching

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Tower and the Ruin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Creation

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