
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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