Part 5/11:
Literary Archetypes vs. Modern Critiques
The conversation challenged critics who interpret Tolkien’s portrayal of certain races and cultures as racist. For example, orcs are often equated with black stereotypes, which panelists see as an overreach disconnected from Tolkien’s actual intentions. They argued that equating fictional races with real-world racial groups is misguided and neglects how fantasy can serve as a vessel for universal themes rather than social commentary.