Quote Originally Posted by Vladimir View Post
Late reply but I also agree. Tolkien's experiences in WW I greatly affected the story and elements of it can be seen in the books. The language he created was based on an existing language. There's also Ajax's points.

Everything contains elements of truth and can be studied as an historical document.
I believe Pape's point was satiritcal - that in 2,000 years nobody will realise LotR was a work of fiction.