Description
Book Synopsis J.R.R. Tolkien is an author beloved by many, but people forget the hostile reception of his work from several literary critics, who despised (and some who continue to despise) him and his readers. Other intellectuals and critics have a more positive opinion of his work, but some read aspects of his books or his beliefs to fit their own agendas. Over the decades, scholars have claimed that Tolkien represents a myriad of (sometimes contradictory) political positions. Whether these scholars act out of disdain for Tolkien or from a simple misread of his works, the outcome is a muddled distortion of who Tolkien really was.
This book peels back the discourse in an attempt to reveal the true nature of an author who so often defies categorization. Using all possible nuance, chapters explore the villains of Lord of the Rings, its female heroines and its moral compass, as well as its definitions of heroism and failure. This book hopes to provide a uniquely accurate and obj
Table of Contents
- <Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments vi
- Preface 1
- Introduction 3
- 1. Criticism of Tolkien's Style and Themes 7
- 2. The Anti-Modernist and Political Tolkien 45
- 3. Race Issues 103
- 4. Sex and Gender in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 119
- 5. Religion and Tolkien 147
- Conclusion 165
- Chapter Notes 173
- Bibliography 183
- Index 187
