Tolkien and the Myth of Atlantis, or the Usefulness of Dreams and the Methodology of Mythmaking

The Platonic myth of Atlantis appears to play a highly significant role in the development of Tolkien's legendarium. In fact, it was not only a major source of inspiration for the creator of Middle-earth, but also provided a good model for his mythmaking efforts. Finally, it cannot be ruled out thet his own story of the tragic downfall of Numenor contains certain autobigraphical elements, particularly thet both Tolkien and his second son Michael are known to have had a recurrent dream in which a "stupendous and ineluctable wave" could be seen "advancing from the Sea or over the land".