by Jeremy Hunt
Daily Lobo
If you've ever wondered about the morality potential of orcs, the UNM Hobbit Society is for you.
Orcs are mythological beings from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
The society is the only place on campus where students can have a lot of fun while discussing Tolkien's work academically, said Zach Watkins, president of the student organization.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"It's a very different type of discussion than would occur in classrooms," he said. "We're serious about it, but we all go to the meetings to have fun."
The society read from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit between Zimmerman Library and the Duck Pond on Monday in observation of International Tolkien Reading Day, which was Sunday.
"Since no one's really around on campus on the weekends, we decided to do it today," said Julie Redekopp, treasurer of the organization. "We want to benefit the campus."
The society was established in 2003. It has about 35 members.
There is a meeting about once a month during the school year.
Redekopp said Tolkien's work can be applied to daily life.
Hobbits are inspiring figures, because they don't seem important, but they save the day, Redekopp said.
"There's some universal themes explored that are just as relevant, if not more relevant, today," she said. "They're set in a mythic past, but the themes Tolkien deals with are modern."
Watkins said the magic of the literature is that it takes the reader to a foreign place that is believable.
Redekopp said Tolkien's writing has a lot of depth, which separates him from most authors.
"Tolkien's world he created was so complete," she said. "That's what's neat about it."
It is easy to get sucked into the series because the characters are universal and real, Watkins said. Anyone can find a character in the "Lord of the Rings" to identify with, he said.
Student Megan Abrahamson, a member of the society, said she is a Tolkien purist because she read The Hobbit in fourth grade, before all the hype from the movies.
Abrahamson said she judges the "Lord of the Rings" movies more harshly than other people as a result.
"I generally don't like movie adaptations of books that I love," she said. "It's someone else's interpretation of them."
Watkins said the movies are true to the tone and imagery of the books.
"As far as adaptations go, it's pretty good," he said. "It keeps the spirit of the books."
Abrahamson said the society is fun because she gets to be a geek.
"I got into college and was like, 'What? I can do this?'" she said.
For information about meetings or to join the UNM Hobbit Society's Listserv,
e-mail President Zach Watkins
at Zwatkins@unm.edu.
