Manuscripts: Use, and Using

Abstract

This essay explores the complicated world of Tolkien and manuscripts. It begins by looking at Tolkien's engagement with manuscripts as an academic, and which ones he encountered (and how). This then informs his depiction of manuscripts and their use in his fiction. Finally it discusses Tolkien's own manuscripts, their scope and location, and the issues one can encounter when using them. Using the manuscript variants for “Shelob's Lair” by way of example it concludes by looking at the overall benefit one can derive from looking at primary source material.

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