Modern Literature Commons^™

The Lost Road As Faërian Drama, John D. Rateliff

Journal of Tolkien Research

This essay looks at world-building in reverse: the process of transforming a desirable fantasy world into a familiar mundane one. Focusing on the tools he had on hand to effect this transformation, particularly on Tolkien’s use of what he calls Faërian Drama, helps explain some of Tolkien’s more cryptic remarks in his late metaphysical writings—e.g. that what was once Valinor is now the Americas.

“I Am No Man”: Éowyn And Game Of Thrones’ Lyanna Mormont, Kristine Larsen

Journal of Tolkien Research

I argue that the success of the HBO television series Game of Thrones’ portrayal of the character of Lyanna Mormont (as well as fan reception of Arya Stark’s unexpected vanquishing of the dreaded Night King) was due in large part to the writers’ ability to simultaneously capitalize on fan-favorite actions of Éowyn in Tolkien’s source material while avoiding less popular aspects of Peter Jackson and company’s depictions of both Éowyn and the original character Tauriel in their film adaptations.

Tolkien, Manuscripts, And Dialect, Edward Risden

Journal of Tolkien Research

Study of languages, names, and dialects may have been the greatest motivating factor in Tolkien's scholarship and his fiction: he found in every name (and even in every word) a story to unearth. Clear connections appear between the scholarly vector that connects his investigations into the Gawain-poet (his location and language), the Ancrene Riwle, and locating the linguistic variants in The Reeve's Tale, for instance, with the creation of the various speech patterns in The Lord of the Rings. Beyond the obvious examples of the Elvish languages Tolkien created, the Westron-Hobbiton dialect that Sam uses, variants among …

Hear, O Númenor!: The Covenantal Relationship Of The Dúnedain With Ilúvatar, Caryn L. Cooper, Kevin S. Whetter

Journal of Tolkien Research

Tolkien deliberately left most of his Middle-earth cultures without any form of organized religion. However, the Dúnedain culture, which descends from Númenorean and Edain culture, is exceptional in this regard, characterized as monotheists with a religion dedicated to Eru Ilúvatar and marked, through both cultural and narrative similarities, as sharing a special relationship with him that echoes the covenantal relationship of Biblical Israel with God. These parallels are particularly visible in shared motifs of the Akallabêth and Exodus, the invocation of Ilúvatar in oaths, the Númenorean pilgrimage festivals, and the designation of the Meneltarma and Halifirien as sacred mountains in …

Tolkien’S Penchant For Alliteration: Using Xml To Analyze The Lay Of Leithian, Rebecca Power

Journal of Tolkien Research

This analysis of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lay of Leithian focuses on the inclusion of alliteration in the poem, aided by the encoding of the poem in XML and the creation of accompanying XSLT documents that transform and represent the data encoded. Tolkien’s unfinished poem The Lay of Leithian, totalling 4223 lines across 14 cantos, exists in various drafts compiled by Christopher Tolkien and published in The Lays of Beleriand. The Lay of Leithian is written in octosyllabic couplets, following the form of the lay, and is organized into stanzas and cantos of varying length that divide the narrative …

Translating Tolkien. The Thin Line Between Translation And Misrepresentation. An Italian Case-Study, Marcantonio Savelli

Journal of Tolkien Research

This article deals with the translation of the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. It investigates the possibility that translation may represent a potential weapon, in the hands of tolkien's patronizing critics, to transform "from the inside", id est through misrepresentation, what could not be incorporated or "normalized" “from the outside”, i.e. by traditional criticism. The basis for these considerations is a case-study related to the Italian context. Recently (2019), the previous Italian translation of The Lord of the Rings was withdrawn from the market by the publisher, in order to replace it with a different one. The way in which this …

The Tale Of The Old Forest: The Damaging Effects Of Forestry In J. R. R. Tolkien’S Written Works, Katrine L. A. Hjulstad

Journal of Tolkien Research

The Old Forest is more often than not considered a wholly villainous woodland, and yet in a letter to the Daily Telegraph (1972), J. R. R. Tolkien claimed that he ‘take[s] the part of trees’ in all his works. Verlyn Flieger takes issue with this claim in her essay ‘Taking the Part of Trees’, as it seems to suggest that Tolkien’s Hobbits in the Old Forest were no better than the Orcs in Fangorn. Here it is argued that Flieger’s interpretation forgets that Tolkien intended The Lord of the Rings to appear as the Hobbits’ writings and recollections, and shows …

"Saint Galadriel?: J.R.R. Tolkien As The Hagiographer Of Middle-Earth", Jane Beal Phd

Journal of Tolkien Research

Abstract: Galadriel is perceived in different, sometimes contradictory ways both within the world of Middle-earth and the world of Tolkien scholarship. In some ways, she is a liminal figure, on the threshold between Middle-earth and Valinor, and between secular and sacred influences from the primary world Tolkien actually lived in. One neglected context that may help readers to understand Tolkien’s characterization of Galadriel is the medieval cult of the saints.

The cult of the saints provides specific practices and beliefs that shaped how Tolkien consciously characterized Galadriel as saint-like, especially in terms of her beauty, holiness, and power. Her saintliness …

“Ever-Defeated Never Altogether Subdued”: Fighting The Long Defeat In Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings And Whedon's Angel, Katherine Sas, Curtis Weyant

Journal of Tolkien Research

The theme of “the long defeat” is a well-established concept in Tolkien studies. First explicated by Tom Shippey in his book The Road to Middle-earth and based on a lament by the elf queen Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings (“Through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat”), the long defeat represents the ongoing, seemingly vain struggle of good against an apparently endless tide of evil, where even the occasional victories of the heroes are often fruitless or short lived. Throughout its five seasons, the television series Angel (1999-2004), a spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer …

‘We Don’T Need Another Hero’ – Problematic Heroes And Their Function In Some Of Tolkien’S Works, Thomas Honegger

Journal of Tolkien Research

This paper discusses the potentially problematic nature of certain forms of heroism in Tolkien’s works and their representatives, such as Túrin Turambar or Beorhtnoth. It analyses not only the problems that may arise on the battlefield from an excess of pride (ofermod), but it also investigates the problem of how to contain and deal with the more aggressive forms of military prowess when its energies are not employed on the battlefield or in fighting an adversary such as a dragon. As will be shown, Tolkien contrasts his ‘unlucky’ heroes implicitly with heroic figures such as Aragorn Elessar, who …

"The Flat Earth Made Round And Tolkien’S Failure To Finish The Silmarillion", John D. Rateliff

Journal of Tolkien Research

Towards the end of his career, J. R. R. Tolkien faced many obstacles both internal and external that stood in the way of his finishing and publishing The Silmarillion. This paper explores the various elements that contributed to his dilemma and concludes that the key factors were twofold.

First came the traumatic breakdown of his efforts to publish the book through Collins, leading to a catastrophic interruption of his work on the book.

In addition, by this time Tolkien had concluded that many of the most iconic elements in his mythology could no longer command evoke secondary belief in …

Tolkien's Library: An Annotated Checklist (2019) By Oronzo Cilli, Wayne G. Hammond &. Christina Scull

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, of Tolkien's Library: An Annotated Checklist (2019) by Oronzo Cilli

The Fall Of Gondolin (2018) By J.R.R. Tolkien, Edited By Christopher Tolkien, Douglas Charles Kane

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Douglas Charles Kane of The Fall of Gondolin (2018) by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Tolkien

Index To The Journal Of Tolkien Research Volumes 1-5, Douglas A. Anderson

Journal of Tolkien Research

Index to The Journal of Tolkien Research Volumes 1-5

"Uncle Curro": J.R.R. Tolkien's Spanish Connection (2018) By José Manuel Ferrández Bru, Wayne G. Hammond &. Christina Scull

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, of "Uncle Curro: J.R.R. Tolkien's Spanish Connection (2018) by José Manuel Ferrández Bru

Tolkien And Alterity (2017) Ed. By Christopher Vaccaro And Yvette Kisor, Gergely Nagy

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Gergely Nagy of Tolkien and Alterity (2017), edited by Christopher Vaccaro and Yvette Kisor

Tolkien Among The Moderns (2015), Ed. By Ralph C. Wood, Robin A. Reid Dr.

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Robin Anne Reid of Tolkien Among the Moderns (2015) ed. by Ralph C. Wood

The Return Of The Ring (2016), Edited By Lynn Forest-Hill, Dennis Wilson Wise

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Dennis Wilson Wise, of The Return of the Ring (2 vols, 2016), ed. by Lynn Forest-Hill

Death And Immortality In Middle-Earth (2017) Edited By Daniel Helen, Amy Amendt-Raduege

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Amy Amendt-Raduege of Death and Immortality in Middle-earth (2017), edited by Daniel Helen

J.R.R. Tolkien: Romanticist And Poet (2017) By Julian Eilmann, John R. Holmes

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review , by John R. Holmes, of J.R.R. Tolkien: Romanticist and Poet (2017) by Julian Eilmann

Building Imaginary Worlds (2012) By Mark J.P. Wolf And Revisiting Imaginary World (2016) Edited By Mark J.P. Wolf, Andrew Higgins

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review of Building Imaginary Worlds (2012) by Mark J.P. Wolf and Revisiting Imaginary Worlds (2016), edited by Mark J.P. Wolf, reviewed by Andrew Higgins

Tolkien, Eucatastrophe, And The Re-Creation Of Medieval Legend, Jane Beal Phd

Journal of Tolkien Research

Using comparative literary analysis, this essay examines three case studies from J.R.R. Tolkien’s oeuvre, in which Tolkien practiced eucatastrophic rewriting: his folk-tale, “Sellic Spell,” in which he re-creates the Old English poem Beowulf; his poem, “Princess Mee,” in which he re-envisions aspects of the myth of Narcissus and the Middle English dream vision poem, Pearl; and the character of Éowyn from The Lord of the Rings, in which he re-imagines the fate of Brynhild, a shield-maiden and valkyrie from Norse legend. In each case, Tolkien rewrites the original so that sorrow is transformed into happiness in Tolkien’s …

Tolkien In The New Century: Essays In Honor Of Tom Shippey (2014), Edited By John Wm. Houghton, Janet Brennan Croft, Nancy Martsch, John D. Rateliff, And Robin Anne Reid, Gergely Nagy

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Gergely Nagy of Tolkien in the New Century: Essays in Honor of Tom Shippey (2014), edited by John Wm. Houghton, Janet Brennan Croft, Nancy Martsch, John D. Rateliff, Robin Anne Reic

Critical Insights: The Hobbit (2016) Edited By Stephen W. Potts, Martin Simonson

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Martin Simonson of Critical Insights: The Hobbit (2016), edited by Stephen W. Potts

Representations Of Nature In Middle-Earth (2016), Edited By Martin Simonson, Deidre A. Dawson

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review of Representations of Nature in Middle-earth (2016), edited by Martin Simonson

Laughter In Middle-Earth: Humour In And Around The Works Of J.R.R. Tolkien (2016) Edited By Thomas Honegger And Maureen F. Mann, John Wm. Houghton

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review of Laughter in Middle-earth (2016), edited by Thomas Honegger and Maureen F. Mann

Approaches To Teaching Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings And Other Works (2015) Edited By Leslie A. Donovan, Kris Swank

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review of Approaches to Teaching Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and Other Works (2015), edited by Leslie A. Donovan

A Secret Vice (2016) By J.R.R. Tolkien, Edited By Dimitra Fimi And Andrew Higgins, Nelson Goering

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review by Nelson Goering of A Secret Vice (2016) by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Dimitra Fimi and Andrew Higgins

Parma Eldalamberon Xxii (2015), By J.R.R. Tolkien, Andrew Higgins

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Andrew Higgins, of Parma Eldalamberon XXII (2015), by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Christopher Gilson and Arden R. Smith

The Story Of Kullervo (2015) By J.R.R. Tolkien, Edited By Verlyn Flieger, Dimitra Fimi

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book Review, by Dimitra Fimi, of The Story of Kullervo (2015) by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Verlyn Flieger