Letter 254a

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 254a
Recipient	Christopher Tolkien
Date	8 February 1964
Subject(s)	Evil winds, sex and marriage

Letter 254a is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

Tolkien writes to his son Christopher and talks about the concept of 'evil winds' and their impact on life, asserting that while winds may be cold and bitter, their perception as evil depends on your response. He notes that apparent good fortune can be ultimately ruinous, and the most challenging winds are often perceived as consequences of our actions or mistakes.

Tolkien also discusses the subject of sex and marriage, describing them as intractable problems that highlight "the profound disorder of the human psyche". He reflects on the historical misuse and confusion surrounding sexuality, acknowledging the strong and often overwhelming natural force of sex. He discusses the historical Christian reaction to sexual immorality, influenced by the abominable practices of the ancient Mediterranean world, and comments on how commerce has corrupted values, including art and sexuality.

He critiques the dark thread of body-hating present in historical religious thought, emphasizing that the actual teachings of the Church were more balanced, with some medieval voices celebrating physical love as a divine delight. He concludes by expressing his belief that the rejection of 'Mammon' is as significant in early Christianity as the reaction against sexual immorality, thus indicating the intertwined nature of commercialism and sexual ethics.