Dr. Cameron and I discuss Tolkien's work including 

The nature of DREAD in the works of Tolkien; the nature of elves; maps and their usage and moon letters ("what are moon letters?")

Fear (along with anger and love) is one of the deepest human emotions.  In his article at Electric Lit, “The Literature of Dread”, John Broening distinguishes between Dread (or Terror), Horror, and Revulsion.

Dread = fear of the imminent, of the inevitable. The unseen thing. Terror.  The feeling of apprehension at the possibility of something frightening.

Horror = the shock and repulsion of seeing the frightening thing

Revulsion = the gross out factor accompanying fear

Like Walker Percy, Tolkien seems to have used dread (caurë in Quenyan elvish) to awaken the "un-placed self" to its existential predicament in the modern world.  The moments of quiet calm and beauty (like the "last homely house" of Rivendell) are always surrounded by this unseen danger into which each of us must venture if the quest of life is to continue.

"Dread has come upon you all. The goblins who claim for the treasure comes from the North! Behold! They ride on Wolves!”

- Gandalf