Tolkien’s Death of Smaug: American Inspiration Revealed

Where did Tolkien pull his inspiration from? Here is a glimpse of some possibilities.

Tolkien professed a childhood interest in Native American stories, with their “bows and arrows … and strange languages, and glimpses of an archaic mode of life, and, above all, forests”.

Longfellow’s writings might have influenced Tolkien more than we know. Read more on the possible influences from other cultures and other authors here at TheGuardian!