Mythopoeia (poem)

Mythopoeia is a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien, written in 1931 and first published in the collection Tree and Leaf (1988). The poem is a response to a conversation between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on the night of September 19, 1931, in which Tolkien defended the value and purpose of myth-making. The poem serves as a direct expression of Tolkien's artistic philosophy and his belief in the power of sub-creation, the act of creating secondary worlds and stories within them.

The poem explores the idea that humans, being made in the image of God, have a natural inclination and right to create. This creative impulse, according to Tolkien, is not merely escapism but a reflection of the divine creative act. By creating myths and stories, humans can explore fundamental truths about the world and themselves, and even glimpse aspects of the divine. The "maker's need to meet his own small world" reflects this inherent drive.

"Mythopoeia" is written in rhyming couplets and employs elevated language and imagery. It defends the act of creating "myths" as a way to understand reality and find meaning in life. The poem directly addresses a skeptic, represented as "Philomythus" (lover of myth), and attempts to persuade him of the validity and value of myth-making. Tolkien argues that these made stories, or sub-creations, can be more truthful than simple factual statements, as they tap into deeper, archetypal truths. They are not falsehoods, but ways of presenting truths in a more accessible and resonant form.

The central argument revolves around the idea that God is the ultimate "Maker" and that human creativity is a reflection of this divine attribute. Therefore, the making of myths is not a futile or dishonest activity, but a participation in the creative process of the universe. Tolkien sees the act of sub-creation as a way to reconcile faith and imagination, arguing that our ability to create stories is a gift from God and should be embraced. The poem's enduring significance lies in its articulation of Tolkien's creative process and its contribution to the understanding of the role of fantasy and myth in literature and culture.