J.R.R. Tolkien : myth, morality, and religion / Richard L. Purtill.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Purtill, Richard L., 1931-2016.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973--Criticism and interpretation.

Tolkien, J. R. R.

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973.

Fantasy literature, English--History and criticism.

Fantasy literature, English.

Middle Earth (Imaginary place).

Religion in literature.

Ethics in literature.

Myth in literature.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

xvi, 207 pages ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 2003.

Summary:

Here is an in-depth look at the role myth, mortality, and religion play in J. R. R. Tolkien's works such as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion -- including Tolkien's private letters and revealing opinions of his own work. Richard L. Purtill brilliantly argues that Tolkien's extraordinary ability to touch his readers' lives through his storytelling -- so unlike much modern literature -- accounts for his enormous literary success. This book demonstrates the moral depth in Tolkien's work and cuts through current subjectivism and cynicism about morality. A careful reader will find a subtle religious dimension to Tolkien's work -- all the more potent because it is below the surface. Purtill reveals that the author's fantasy stories creatively incorporate profound religious and ethical ideas. For example, Purtill shows us how hobbits reflect both the pettiness of unimaginative parochial humanity and the unexpected heroism of ordinary people in crisis. Purtill effectively addresses larger issues of the place of myth, the relation of religion and morality to literature, the relation of Tolkien's work to traditional mythology, modern fantasy and science fiction, and the lessons Tolkien's work teaches that are applicable to our own lives.

Contents:

1. The Dimensions of Myth 1

2. Three Faces of Myth 23

3. Myth and Story 39

4. Hobbits and Heroism 59

5. Beyond Heroism 79

6. Elves and Others 101

7. Tolkien's Creation Myth 119

8. Magic and Miracle in Middle-earth 139

9. Frodo, Feanor, and Free Will 157

10. The Sudden Joyous Turn 175.

Notes:

"Original edition published in 1984 by Harper & Row, Publishers, San Francisco"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0898709482

OCLC:

52446418