English Language and Literature Commons^™

The Broken Sword Reforged, Joe R. Christopher

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Analyzes changes made in the second edition of The Broken Sword, published in 1971, from the original 1954 edition. Comparisons of a number of passages show Anderson maturing in his technical ability as a writer and his psychological understanding of his characters, though Christopher regrets the occasional loss of a certain “lyric intensity” and hints of the “dark backward and abysm of time” found in the original.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Living With Fantasy & Illusion: Some Thoughts Inspired By Poul Anderson's The Queen Of Air And Darkness, Dale Ziegler

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Meditation on archetypes and fantasy rather than a scholarly paper, this piece considers messages about the human longing for the fantastic embodied in Anderson’s novel, and the dangers of allowing archetypes to be taken as more than the illusions they actually are. Reproduces several lengthy passages from the novel, in particular the ballad of the ranger Arvid.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Triumph Of Love: Interpretations Of The Tarot In Charles Williams' The Greater Trumps, Nancy-Lou Patterson

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Extended study of Tarot imagery in Williams’ The Greater Trumps, with examination of Eliot’s possible influence on Williams through his earlier use of Tarot symbolism in The Waste Land. A substantial portion traces the history of Tarot and the evolution of its symbolism through several important decks, then looks at Williams’s interpretation in his novel. Also examines the Roman triumph ceremony and the figure of the Fool for their surprisingly rich interconnections with the Tarot and The Greater Trumps.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Panel: "The Making Of Fantasy Worlds", Poul Anderson, Robert Silverberg, Katherine Kurtz, Ruth Berman, Larry Niven

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

A panel of science fiction and fantasy authors discusses how they develop their worlds, the differences between fantasy and science fiction, and some classic works of fantasy.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Myth In The Modern World, Poul Anderson

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Fantasy author Anderson discusses definitions of myth and how literature becomes mythopoeic, particularly by catching or reflecting cultural needs. Includes an example of a modern historical novel incorporating myth, Jensen’s The Fall of the King and its use of symbolism from the Norse “Song of Grotte.”

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Grail Quest Theme In That Hideous Strength, Karen Bailey

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Postulates that while Ransom is the most obvious candidate for the Fisher King in THS, Jane Studdock is cast as a Grail quester in spite of her gender and the fact that she is married, and in effect achieves the Grail at the end.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Decline And Fall Of The Osgiliathian Empire, James D. Allan

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Taking Tolkien’s statement that hobbits lingered in “the North-West of the Old World” as its basis, this paper examines the fauna, organization of human culture, development of armor and so on in Middle-earth to place it in the “heroic age” of Europe and to identify Gondor with Rome. The author further identifies the function of the Elves and their protected kingdoms with the monasteries that preserved cultural memories through the Dark Ages. Consideration is given to the nonmedieval culture of the Shire, the fact that Aragorn does not map precisely onto any particular ruler of this period, and what these …

Are These Myths True?, Mary Mcdermott Shideler

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Discusses the nature of myth, mythopoeic play, and the “realness” of mundane and created worlds in her Guest of Honor address. Appended are audience questions.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Selected Materials From A Study Of The Worm Ouroboros, Ian Myles Slater

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

After a brief précis of Eddison’s life, the author discusses the genre of The Worm Ouroboros, basing most of his arguments on Frye’s Anatomy of Criticism. Following is an examination of the tale’s sources, most notably elements from the Norse sagas, The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, and Orlando Furioso.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Introducing C.S. Lewis: Sincerity Personified, Kathryn Lindskoog

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

An overview of C.S. Lewis’s life, primarily based on Surprised by Joy and Letters, covering the entire period from his birth to death with special emphasis on his education and conversion. Includes personal reminiscences of the author’s own meeting with him in 1956. This is the first chapter of Lindskoog’s biography of Lewis.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Closing Session, Jim Carleton

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Return To The Past In Williams & Eliade, Gracia Fay Ellwood

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Compares the use of displacement in time in the plots of Charles Williams’s Descent Into Hell and Mircea Eliade’s novella Nights at Serampore. Both stories involve protagonists interacting with violent events taking place in the past of their presentday location. Williams’s principle of exchange makes Pauline’s experience a joyful and numinous one; Eliade’s story ends more ambiguously, with the participants deriving no spiritual meaning from their experience other than a sense of the illusory nature of what is experienced through the senses. Ellwood goes on to examine real -world stories of similar retrocognitive events and finds recorded examples of …

The Heroic In Middle-Earth, Robert Foster

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Gives examples of several types of heroism: the survival-hero, whose heroism is a reaction to a hostile environment; the destiny-hero, who has been chosen to fulfill a task beyond his normal capabilities; the honor-hero, motivated by a desire for reputation and fame; and the ethic-hero, whose self-respect demands he act when circumstances arise that require it. Describes the moral framework of Middle-earth as one that constantly presents opportunities for heroic action, which in turn influences and supports later heroic actions through providing examples to emulate, clues to effective action, or heirloom objects that assist later heroes. In this framework, all …

Considering The Great Divorce (Parts Iii, Iv, & V), J. R. Christopher

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

THIS IS A TWO-PART ARTICLE. IN ORDER TO READ OR DOWNLOAD THE OTHER PART, FOLLOW THE LINK AT THE END OF THIS ABSTRACT.

Part III is a close textual comparison of the English and American editions and the newspaper serialization. Part IV examines the underlying structure, comparing the encounters in Divorce with the organization of The Divine Comedy and concluding that Lewis’s book is not as tightly and hierarchically organized, either artistically or theologically. This section also attempts to categorize Divorce using Northrop Frye’s classification scheme laid out in The Anatomy of Criticism, and concludes with a debate about …

Anti-Babels: Images Of The Divine Center In That Hideous Strength, Nancy-Lou Patterson

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Examines the role, sources, and symbolism of the two walled gardens in That Hideous Strength: Bracton Wood and the garden at St. Anne’s. Discusses the psychological, mythical, and religious symbolism of the walled garden across a variety of sources, from Babylonian epic through Freudian psychology, and lists the source material Lewis references in his descriptions of these gardens. Also covers other gardens in Lewis’s works, including the biscuit-tin garden described in his autobiography as his first glimpse of beauty and the garden where Digory plucks the silver apple in The Magician’s Nephew.

This work is licensed under CC …

Transcending The Images: Archaisms And Alternatives, Glen Goodknight

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Discusses the medieval theological concepts of affirmation of images (romantic, seeking truth reflected in imagery) and rejection of images (mystical, seeking direct access to truth), building on Mary Schildeler’s book on Williams, The Theology of Romantic Love, and liberally quoting from Jung and Lewis. Concludes that Lewis advocated a hybrid concept of transparent images; that ideally one should simultaneously contemplate both the image and the truth behind it, transcending dualism.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Mythcon Report, Bernie Zuber

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The White Tree, Glen Goodknight

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Revision of conference introductory address. Sees many of the problems of the modern world stemming from a deep distrust of the unconscious mind, and with it a distrust of mystical experience and fantasy. Draws primarily on Jung and on Tolkien’s “On Fairy-stories” to make his point that fantasy is necessary to the integration of the conscious and unconscious minds.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Sindarin And Quenya Phonology, Robert Foster

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Attempts to classify the distinguishing phonemes of Quenya and Sindarin and use them to develop a framework for determining where on the scale of historical change a vocabulary word might fall.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The "Hnau" Creatures Of C.S. Lewis, Ellen Rothberg

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Discusses various species in the Space Trilogy considered to be “hnau,” or rational beings: the eldila, sorns, hrossa, and pfifltriggi. Compares this treatment of rationality and self-awareness with the Talking Beasts of Narnia in The Magician’s Nephew and The Last Battle. Concludes that Lewis’s purpose is to show Man’s interconnectedness with, and responsibility for, the rest of creation.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Considering The Great Divorce (Parts I And Ii), J. R. Christopher

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

THIS IS A TWO-PART ARTICLE. IN ORDER TO READ OR DOWNLOAD THE OTHER PART, FOLLOW THE LINK AT THE END OF THIS ABSTRACT.

The author takes two approaches in this discussion of The Great Divorce: enumerating the medieval sources and analogues for Lewis’s story, particularly The Divine Comedy but also other dream-visions such as The Romance of the Rose; and seeking out modern parallels and inspirations, such as Forster’s “The Celestial Omnibus” but more importantly Tolkien’s “Leaf by Niggle” and Williams’s All Hallows’ Eve.

Part 2: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythpro/vol1/iss3/3

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Language Of J.R.R. Tolkien In The Lord Of The Rings, Judy Winn Bell

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Analyzes Tolkien’s use of language: instances of word-magic and name-magic, style to denote character and nationality, syntax to emphasize mood and the social level of characters, and the contrast of archaism and simplicity in some of the most powerful moments. Also looks more closely at the individualized speech patterns of Gollum, Tom Bombadil, and Treebeard, as well as speech markers used for hobbits, Elves, and the Rohirrim.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Two-Headed Beast: Notes Toward The Definition Of Allegory, Nan Braude

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

The author provides a literary history of the concept of allegory going back to Homer, describing “allegorism” and “typology” as the two divisions of allegory, distinguishing allegory from symbolism and conceit, exploring modern attitudes toward allegory, and briefly examining the use of allegory and symbol in Tolkien, Lewis, and Williams.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Beyond The Fields We Know, Lois Newman

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Discussion of the career and writings of Lord Dunsany, precursor of Tolkien and a great influence on H.P. Lovecraft in particular. Emphasizes Dunsany’s unique literary style, inventive and opulent, and focuses primarily on Tales of Three Hemispheres and The King of Elfland’s Daughter.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Impact Of Charles Williams' Death On C.S. Lewis, Rolan M. Kawano

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Recounts the beginnings of the friendship of Lewis and Williams and Williams’s later association with the Inklings until his death following complications from surgery in May 1945. Discusses the effect of his death on C.S. Lewis’s thoughts about mortality and reprints his poem “On the Death of Charles Williams.”

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

A High And Lonely Destiny, Gracia Fay Ellwood

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Examines the recurring motif of people, both real and fictional, who believe they possess magical powers and a destiny that places them above normal human moral concerns and connections. Beginning with the biblical Simon Magus and continuing through the many tales of Merlin, Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, and Adolf Hitler, and ending with Tolkien’s Saruman, Ellwood traces this complex to inner hunger and self-deception, and notes how some characters, such as Gandalf, escape this destiny through their sense of connection with others.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Surprising Joy: C.S. Lewis' Deep Space Trilogy, Ethel Wallis

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Examines Lewis’s definitions of Joy in The Pilgrim’s Regress and Surprised by Joy, then shows how Joy is depicted and used throughout the Space Trilogy.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

The Lure Of The Ring, Alexis Levitin

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Discusses letters from a group of typical Lord of the Rings fans about why they enjoy the book. Concludes thoughtful readers respond to the timeless struggle of good and evil and the deeper moral messages of the work.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Archetypes Of The Mother In The Fantasies Of George Macdonald, Nancy-Lou Patterson

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

A study of the Wise Woman, Mother, or Grandmother figure throughout George MacDonald’s fantasy. Discusses how MacDonald is better understood through Jungian rather than Freudian analysis. Places imagery associated with these figures in their mythological, symbolic, and religious contexts, and examines both the beneficial and deadly aspects of the anima as shown in their actions.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Three Good Mothers: Galadriel, Psyche, And Sybil Coningsby, Laura A. Ruskin

Mythopoeic Society Seminar Proceedings

Examines the imagery and functions of the Mother archetype in world mythology and the characters of Tolkien’s Galadriel, Lewis’s Psyche, and Williams’s Sybil.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0