Tolkien's story "Smith of Wootton Major", written in 1965, and an accompanying essay written at the same time, provide a rich understanding of Tolkien's "Vision of Faërie" that goes significantly beyond earlier critical works such "On Fairy-stories" and "Mythopoeia". A close reading and analysis approach to "Smith" and the essay indicate that Tolkien saw Faërie as necessary, universal, beneficent and transformative to humanity. In order to fully appreciate what "Smith" has to say about Faërie, it must be understood that "Smith" is neither an allegory nor primarily autobiographical and should be seen as a "fairy-story", a story about a human journeying in the Faërie realm. The essay adds to our understanding of Faërie as it tells a parallel story concerning Faërie intervening in Wootton Major, to restore contact with the enchantment of Faërie that is being lost. "Smith" and the essay together are important for understanding Tolkien's increasingly sophisticated and elevated view of Faërie, which he claimed was "as necessary for the health and complete functioning of the Human as is sunlight for physical life."

Trevor intends to redevelop this thesis into two separate works. The first is an academic article, making a case for paying more attention to "Smith" and its accompanying essay, reading it as a fairy-story rather than an allegory or autobiographical work.

A secondary project would be something along the lines of a small book of perhaps of an "inspirational" or "popular" nature on Tolkien's views of Faery and its value for our own lives.

Any running feedback on the thesis in these directions would be much appreciated.