Orientalism is a genuine criticism of Tolkiens work pointed out in this essay. Although he says it isn’t based on earth and shouldn’t be taken as allegory, he does base middle earth in a west (noble high-borne elves and men) vs east (evil twisted orcs and savage peoples) dichotomy.
Why must they write about this like it’s the gosh-damn Lord of the Rings?
Because they, like Tolkien, think the east is a bad fantasy villain and the west is the good guy Gondor.
Orientalism is a genuine criticism of Tolkiens work pointed out in this essay. Although he says it isn’t based on earth and shouldn’t be taken as allegory, he does base middle earth in a west (noble high-borne elves and men) vs east (evil twisted orcs and savage peoples) dichotomy.