Master of Middle-earth: The Fiction of J.R.R. TolkienAs is the case with all great works of art, J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpieces generously repay close attention and study. In this thoroughly entertaining and perceptive volume, winner of the prestigious Mythopoeic Society Scholarship Award, Professor Kocher examines the sources that Tolkien drew upon in fashioning Middle-earth and its inhabitants—and provides valuable insights into the author’s aims and methods. Ranging from The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion and beyond, Master of Middle-earth opens the door to a deeper and richer appreciation of Tolkien’s magnificent achievement. Inside you will discover • Why Aragorn is the most misunderstood character in The Lord of the Rings . . . and its true hero. • The origin of Sauron—and the nature of evil in Tolkien’s universe. • The opposing forces of destiny and free will in Frodo’s quest. • The Cosmology of Middle-earth—is it our world at an earlier time, or does it exist in a fantastic Elsewhere? • How Tolkien’s ideas of morality, religion, and social order underlie every aspect of his life’s work. Plus a fascinating look at such lesser-known works of Tolkien’s as “Leaf by Niggle,” “Smith of Wootton Major,” and many others! |
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Angmar Aragorn Arwen battle Beorhtnoth's Bilbo Bombadil Boromir Bree Brendan CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ called creatures CRUZ The University CRUZ UNIVERSITY death dragon dreams dwarf dwarves earth Elendil Elrond elven elves ents Éomer epic essay On Fairy-stories evil Faery fairy Fangorn fantasy Faramir Farmer Giles Forest Frodo Galadriel Gandalf Gimli give Gollum Gondor heart Helm's Deep hoard hobbits Imram Isildur king knight later Leaf by Niggle leaves Legolas light living look Lórien master Middle-earth Minas Tirith mind moral Mordor Morgoth Moria Mount Doom mountains Navigatio Nazgûl never Niggle's Númenor Númenorean orcs palantír poem races Rivendell Rohan ruling Ring Saruman Sauron says secondary world seems shadow Shire Smaug species star story Strider sword tale tells Théoden things Third Age Tidwald Tolkien Torhthelm Tree and Leaf Treebeard trolls Undying Lands University Library UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Valar Valinor West Wootton Major