English Language and Literature Commons^™

Odyssey, David Sparenberg

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

A Suburb Of The City Of Dis, Joe R. Christopher

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

October's Showers, Joel Zartman

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Janet Brennan Croft

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

The Thematic Organization Of Spirits In Bondage, Joe R. Christopher

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Detailed examination of each poem in Spirits in Bondage, using the young poet’s “Matter = Nature = Satan” equation (as expressed in letters to his friend Arthur Greeves) to explore the underlying themes of Lewis’s not just pre-conversion, but pre-theism “cycle of lyrics.” The contrast between beauty and evil, irreconcilable in this stage of Lewis’s theological development, is shown to be a major concern in this work, heavily influenced by his World War I experiences. An appendix details the matter of the poems rejected and replaced before publication.

Heroic Orual And The Tasks Of Psyche, Gwenyth Hood

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

In-depth exploration of Lewis’s Till We Have Faces, his retelling of the Psyche and Cupid myth from the viewpoint of one of Psyche’s sisters, Orual. Taking as her key the god’s admonition to Orual after she forces her sister to disobey him, “You also shall be Psyche,” Hood examines Orual’s transformations of herself and her society and the nature and meaning of the tasks she symbolically shares with her sister. An appendix details similarities and differences between the classical Latin sources and Lewis’s version.

"A Far Green Country": Tolkien, Paradise, And The End Of All Things In Medieval Literature, A. Keith Kelly, Michael Livingston

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Attempts to explain exactly what Frodo goes to when he sails from the Grey Havens. By looking at paradise, purgatory, and earthly Edens in medieval literature and theology, we gain a better understanding of the spiritual purpose of Tolkien’s “far green country” beyond the bent paths of the world. References “Pearl,” “Sir Orfeo,” mystery play cycles, and Sir John Mandeville’s Travels, among other sources.

"Two Sides Of The Same Magic": The Dialect Of Mortality And Immortality In Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn, Geoffrey Reiter

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Looks at the subtle balance of mortality and immortality in this story and how Beagle resolves their opposition though what his characters learn (or don’t learn) from experiencing both states of being. Considers not just the novel but the sequel short story “Two Hearts” and Beagle’s script for the movie of The Last Unicorn.

Éowyn's Grief, Brent D. Johnson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Adds to the scholarly dialogue on Tolkien’s depiction of war-related mental trauma by examining Éowyn not as an example of post-traumatic stress disorder, but as a character suffering from, and beginning to recover from, traumatic grief. Emphasizes the role of Faramir as counselor and healer. Johnson’s experience as a military chaplain gives added strength to his observations.

The Education Of A Witch: Tiffany Aching, Hermione Granger, And Gendered Magic In Discworld And Potterworld, Janet Brennan Croft

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Explores the depiction of gender in education, and how gender issues in education relate to power and agency, in two current young adult fantasy series featuring feisty heroines determined to learn all that they can: Hermione Granger in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, and Tiffany Aching, main character of three Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Includes a brief appendix on cross-dressing in children’s literature.

Tolkien And Dogs, Just Dogs: In Metaphor And Simile, Emma Hawkins

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Examines dogs in Tolkien’s fiction; not just the actual dogs that appear in a wide range of his works, but also the use of dog-imagery in simile, metaphor, and character description, particularly the complex pattern of references and allusions Tolkien uses in the depictions of Sam, Gollum, and Wormtongue.

Reviews, David Bratman, Joe R. Christopher, Edith L. Crowe, Jason Fisher, Glen Goodknight, William Gray, Darrell Schweitzer, Amy H. Sturgis, Donald T. Williams

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Lilith in a New Light: Essays on the George Macdonald Fantasy Novel. Ed. Lucas H. Harriman. Reviewed by William Gray.

Black & White Ogre Country: The Lost Tales of Hilary Tolkien. Edited by Angela Gardner. Illustrated by Jef Murray. Reviewed by Glen GoodKnight.

C.S. Lewis and the Search for Rational Religion. John Beversluis. Reviewed by Donald T. Williams.

Faith and Choice in the Works of Joss Whedon. K.. Dale Koontz. Reviewed by Amy H. Sturgis.

Fritz Leiber, Critical Essays. Ed. Benjamin Szumskyj. Reviewed by Darrell Schweitzer.

Myth and Magic: Art according to the Inklings. Eduardo Segura and Thomas Honegger. Reviewed …

The Blade Against The Burden: The Iconography Of The Sword In The Lord Of The Rings, Michael J. Brisbois

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Invites us to consider the deeper social implications of carrying and using a sword in the medieval world of Middle-earth—how bearing a sword not only indicates leadership and service, but provides an opportunity for social mobility, in addition to its more obvious military meanings. Considers as examples Merry and Pippin swearing oaths to, respectively, Théoden and Denethor; Éowyn’s heroic deeds; and especially Aragorn’s use of Narsil/Andúril as a symbol of legitimacy and service to his people.

Editorial, Janet Brennan Croft

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

In Memoriam: Pauline Baynes, Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

A brief appreciation of artist Pauline Baynes’s life and work, particularly her illustrations for the works of Tolkien and Lewis, with reminiscences of the authors’ friendship with her.

Pauline Baynes In Mythlore, Janet Brennan Croft, Edith Crowe

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

A listing of artist Pauline Baynes’s appearances in Mythlore as illustrator or author, or as the subject of articles or reviews.

Gandalf And Merlin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Adoption And Transformation Of A Literary Tradition, Frank P. Riga

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Concerns the roots of the wizard Gandalf’s character in the legendary figure of Merlin, tracing Merlin’s development through a variety of English and continental literature up through the twentieth century, and showing how various authors, including Tolkien, interpreted and adapted the wizard for their purposes.

Dragons And Serpents In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series: Are They Evil?, Lauren Berman

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Investigates the role and symbolism of dragons and serpents in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, with side excursions into Lewis and Tolkien for their takes on the topic. Concludes that dragons are morally neutral in her world, while serpents generally represent or are allied with evil.

Time And J.R.R. Tolkien's "Riddles In The Dark", Marie Nelson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Close reading of the two riddle games in The Hobbit—the first between Bilbo and Gollum, and the second a three-sided game where both Smaug and the reader try to decode Bilbo’s riddling self-references. Discusses “priming” in riddling, how riddles work as a speech act, and the sources of riddles used in these games. Includes a translation of Bilbo’s riddles to Smaug into Old English.

Letters, Ruth Lacon

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

No abstract provided.

Reconstructing Arda: Of Fëanor And The Unchaining Of Melkor, Douglas C. Kane

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Discusses Tolkien’s Silmarillion and how it was constructed from the materials later published in the twelve-volume History of Middle-earth, in particular the version of “Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor” in the published Silmarillion compared with the source material given in Morgoth’s Ring. The author finds intriguing patterns in what Christopher Tolkien used and did not use from the original material.

So Far From The Shire: Psychological Distance And Isolation In The Lord Of The Rings, Ginna Wilkerson

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

Considers Frodo’s psychological isolation in The Lord of the Rings and offers a perspective on Frodo and post-traumatic stress syndrome, looking closely at what was happening to him during his quest rather than after and using current understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse to provide a framework for understanding his experiences and reactions.

Mythcon 39 - The Valkyrie And The Goddess: The Warrior Woman In Fantasy, The Mythopoeic Society

Mythcon Programs

Mythcon 39

August 15-18, 2008 - Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut

The Valkyrie and the Goddess: The Warrior Woman in Fantasy

Marjorie Burns, Sharan Newman, guests of honor

Song Of Kaikeyi, Randy Hoyt

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Contributors, Gwenyth E. Hood

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Mythic Circle #30, Gwenyth E. Hood

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Gwenyth E. Hood

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Shpuch And Shtaj, Joe R. Christopher

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

Dragonseeker, Dag Rossman

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.

The Hunter And The Queen Of Heaven, Tim Callahan

The Mythic Circle

No abstract provided.