Boomer ClassicsBoomer ClassicsJ. R. R. Tolkien: J. R. R. Tolkien:

Creating a new mythos - Creating a new mythos -

and a new realityand a new reality

J. R. R. Tolkien: J. R. R. Tolkien:

Creating a new mythos - Creating a new mythos -

and a new realityand a new reality

BackgroundBackground

Seventy years ago, in 1937, John Ronald Seventy years ago, in 1937, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, a professor of Old English Reuel Tolkien, a professor of Old English at Oxford, published a short book called at Oxford, published a short book called “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.” “The Hobbit, or There and Back Again.”

Things have never been quite the same Things have never been quite the same since.since.

Thoughts to consider tonightThoughts to consider tonight

The HobbitThe Hobbit was published in 1937. The was published in 1937. The massive massive Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings trilogy didn’t hit trilogy didn’t hit the shelves until 1954 and 1955.the shelves until 1954 and 1955.

Yet these did not become major bestsellers Yet these did not become major bestsellers

until the mid 1960’s.until the mid 1960’s.

What changed to drive the new interest in What changed to drive the new interest in ‘middle earth’ and the land of hobbits, elves, ‘middle earth’ and the land of hobbits, elves, dwarfs and wizards? dwarfs and wizards?

The HobbitThe Hobbit was published in 1937. The was published in 1937. The massive massive Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings trilogy didn’t hit trilogy didn’t hit the shelves until 1954 and 1955.the shelves until 1954 and 1955.

Yet these did not become major bestsellers Yet these did not become major bestsellers

until the mid 1960’s.until the mid 1960’s.

What changed to drive the new interest in What changed to drive the new interest in ‘middle earth’ and the land of hobbits, elves, ‘middle earth’ and the land of hobbits, elves, dwarfs and wizards? dwarfs and wizards?

Thoughts to consider tonightThoughts to consider tonight

Does Tolkien have anything to say to us Does Tolkien have anything to say to us today?today?

Does his work have any major themes Does his work have any major themes that still speak to us?that still speak to us?

Does Tolkien have anything to say to us Does Tolkien have anything to say to us today?today?

Does his work have any major themes Does his work have any major themes that still speak to us?that still speak to us?

J.R.R. Tolkien J.R.R. Tolkien

•Born at the end of the 19Born at the end of the 19thth Century (1/3/1892) in Century (1/3/1892) in South Africa.South Africa.

•““Ronald” returned to Ronald” returned to West Middlelands, England West Middlelands, England with his mother and with his mother and brother following his brother following his father’s death in 1896.father’s death in 1896.

•Mother converted to Mother converted to Catholicism in 1900, which Catholicism in 1900, which broke all family ties.broke all family ties.

•Born at the end of the 19Born at the end of the 19thth Century (1/3/1892) in Century (1/3/1892) in South Africa.South Africa.

•““Ronald” returned to Ronald” returned to West Middlelands, England West Middlelands, England with his mother and with his mother and brother following his brother following his father’s death in 1896.father’s death in 1896.

•Mother converted to Mother converted to Catholicism in 1900, which Catholicism in 1900, which broke all family ties.broke all family ties.

Early Years Early Years

•Tolkien shows great skills and interest in languages.

•Fascinated by words, he mastered Greek and Latin by 12.

•But in 1904, his mother dies.

•The boys are raised by parish priest Father Francis.

•Tolkien shows great skills and interest in languages.

•Fascinated by words, he mastered Greek and Latin by 12.

•But in 1904, his mother dies.

•The boys are raised by parish priest Father Francis.

The First GlimpseThe First Glimpse

In 1913, he found this intriguing couplet in Crist of Cynewulf :

“Eálá Earendel engla beorhtastOfer middangeard monnum sended”

Which translated to: ““Hail Earendel brightest of angels, over Middle Hail Earendel brightest of angels, over Middle

Earth sent to men.”Earth sent to men.”

In 1913, he found this intriguing couplet in Crist of Cynewulf :

“Eálá Earendel engla beorhtastOfer middangeard monnum sended”

Which translated to: ““Hail Earendel brightest of angels, over Middle Hail Earendel brightest of angels, over Middle

Earth sent to men.”Earth sent to men.”

The War to End All Wars The War to End All Wars

•When war breaks out in When war breaks out in 1914, unlike all his friends 1914, unlike all his friends and most of his generation, and most of his generation, he does NOT race to join. he does NOT race to join.

•He returns to Oxford to He returns to Oxford to finish his degree, and his finish his degree, and his invented languages.invented languages.

•However, war soon finds However, war soon finds him. him.

•When war breaks out in When war breaks out in 1914, unlike all his friends 1914, unlike all his friends and most of his generation, and most of his generation, he does NOT race to join. he does NOT race to join.

•He returns to Oxford to He returns to Oxford to finish his degree, and his finish his degree, and his invented languages.invented languages.

•However, war soon finds However, war soon finds him. him.

War War

•Tolkien inducted in 1915Tolkien inducted in 1915

•By this point, all but one By this point, all but one of his childhood friends of his childhood friends have died at the front.have died at the front.

• After 4 months, he has a After 4 months, he has a terrible case of trench terrible case of trench fever, a typhus-like fever, a typhus-like infection.infection.

• He is returned to EnglandHe is returned to England

•Tolkien inducted in 1915Tolkien inducted in 1915

•By this point, all but one By this point, all but one of his childhood friends of his childhood friends have died at the front.have died at the front.

• After 4 months, he has a After 4 months, he has a terrible case of trench terrible case of trench fever, a typhus-like fever, a typhus-like infection.infection.

• He is returned to EnglandHe is returned to England

The Lost TalesThe Lost Tales

During his hospital During his hospital stay and his long stay and his long recovery, he writes recovery, he writes “The Lost Tales.”“The Lost Tales.”

It would not be It would not be published in his published in his lifetime. lifetime.

During his hospital During his hospital stay and his long stay and his long recovery, he writes recovery, he writes “The Lost Tales.”“The Lost Tales.”

It would not be It would not be published in his published in his lifetime. lifetime.

The Lost TalesThe Lost Tales

Here his first stories Here his first stories of the Elves and the of the Elves and the Gnomes, of the war Gnomes, of the war of Morgoth, the seige of Morgoth, the seige and fall of Gondolin, and fall of Gondolin, and the story of and the story of Turin, Berin, and Turin, Berin, and Luthian would be Luthian would be told.told.

Here his first stories Here his first stories of the Elves and the of the Elves and the Gnomes, of the war Gnomes, of the war of Morgoth, the seige of Morgoth, the seige and fall of Gondolin, and fall of Gondolin, and the story of and the story of Turin, Berin, and Turin, Berin, and Luthian would be Luthian would be told.told.

The Lost TalesThe Lost Tales

This is where most of This is where most of the major stories of the major stories of The Silmarillion The Silmarillion would first appear.would first appear.

Tolkien was Tolkien was developing the developing the complete mythos, complete mythos, which he called which he called The The Legendarium.Legendarium.

This is where most of This is where most of the major stories of the major stories of The Silmarillion The Silmarillion would first appear.would first appear.

Tolkien was Tolkien was developing the developing the complete mythos, complete mythos, which he called which he called The The Legendarium.Legendarium.

Why the Legendarium?Why the Legendarium?

After his experiences in the war of the trenches, Tolkien wrote that he

“thought Western Civilization was in peril” and he hoped that his middle earth myth-making would inspire its preservation.

After his experiences in the war of the trenches, Tolkien wrote that he

“thought Western Civilization was in peril” and he hoped that his middle earth myth-making would inspire its preservation.

After the War After the War

•he worked briefly on the he worked briefly on the “New Oxford Dictionary”“New Oxford Dictionary”

•became an assistant became an assistant professor at Leeds professor at Leeds

•collaborated with E.V. collaborated with E.V. Gordon to publish the Gordon to publish the famous version of famous version of Sir Sir Gawain and the Green Gawain and the Green Knight Knight

•he worked briefly on the he worked briefly on the “New Oxford Dictionary”“New Oxford Dictionary”

•became an assistant became an assistant professor at Leeds professor at Leeds

•collaborated with E.V. collaborated with E.V. Gordon to publish the Gordon to publish the famous version of famous version of Sir Sir Gawain and the Green Gawain and the Green Knight Knight

Tolkien at Oxford Tolkien at Oxford

•In 1925, he returned to In 1925, he returned to Oxford as a professor of Oxford as a professor of Anglo-Saxon English (Old Anglo-Saxon English (Old English to the rest of us.)English to the rest of us.)

•While his teaching is While his teaching is mostly unremarkable, his mostly unremarkable, his social life is transformative.social life is transformative.

•In 1925, he returned to In 1925, he returned to Oxford as a professor of Oxford as a professor of Anglo-Saxon English (Old Anglo-Saxon English (Old English to the rest of us.)English to the rest of us.)

•While his teaching is While his teaching is mostly unremarkable, his mostly unremarkable, his social life is transformative.social life is transformative.

The Inklings The Inklings

•He is a founding member He is a founding member of the “The Inklings” a of the “The Inklings” a writing group. writing group.

•The Inklings regularly met The Inklings regularly met for conversation, drink, and for conversation, drink, and frequent reading from their frequent reading from their work-in-progress. work-in-progress.

•The most famous fellow The most famous fellow member is C.S. Lewis.member is C.S. Lewis.

•He is a founding member He is a founding member of the “The Inklings” a of the “The Inklings” a writing group. writing group.

•The Inklings regularly met The Inklings regularly met for conversation, drink, and for conversation, drink, and frequent reading from their frequent reading from their work-in-progress. work-in-progress.

•The most famous fellow The most famous fellow member is C.S. Lewis.member is C.S. Lewis.

The Birth of the Hobbits The Birth of the Hobbits

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”

In his own words… (link)

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”

In his own words… (link)

The Hobbit The Hobbit

•Published in 1937, it was Published in 1937, it was … not an instant hit. But it … not an instant hit. But it did break through as a did break through as a children’s story.children’s story.

• While popular, the book While popular, the book sold fewer than 5,000 sold fewer than 5,000 copies by the end of WW II!copies by the end of WW II!

•Published in 1937, it was Published in 1937, it was … not an instant hit. But it … not an instant hit. But it did break through as a did break through as a children’s story.children’s story.

• While popular, the book While popular, the book sold fewer than 5,000 sold fewer than 5,000 copies by the end of WW II!copies by the end of WW II!

The Hobbit The Hobbit

The publisher did ask for The publisher did ask for more, though, and Tolkien more, though, and Tolkien proudly offered up proudly offered up

The Silmarillion …The Silmarillion …

Which they rejected!Which they rejected!

The publisher did ask for The publisher did ask for more, though, and Tolkien more, though, and Tolkien proudly offered up proudly offered up

The Silmarillion …The Silmarillion …

Which they rejected!Which they rejected!

A Sequel to the Hobbit A Sequel to the Hobbit

•They did want a sequel to They did want a sequel to The HobbitThe Hobbit, though, so he , though, so he agreed to try.agreed to try.

• It only took 16 years!It only took 16 years!

•The first book of the Lord The first book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, of the Rings trilogy, “The “The Fellowship of the Ring”Fellowship of the Ring” was published in 1954.was published in 1954.

•They did want a sequel to They did want a sequel to The HobbitThe Hobbit, though, so he , though, so he agreed to try.agreed to try.

• It only took 16 years!It only took 16 years!

•The first book of the Lord The first book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, of the Rings trilogy, “The “The Fellowship of the Ring”Fellowship of the Ring” was published in 1954.was published in 1954.

Enter the 1960’sEnter the 1960’s

While it sold ok, it was not a huge hit – until the mid-1960’s.

By 1966, Tolkien was a hit on American college campus’s. Why?

While it sold ok, it was not a huge hit – until the mid-1960’s.

By 1966, Tolkien was a hit on American college campus’s. Why?

Paperback Publication!Paperback Publication!

Ballantine Books issued the first authorized paperback Ballantine Books issued the first authorized paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings in the United States in edition of The Lord of the Rings in the United States in 1965.1965.

Ballantine Books issued the first authorized paperback Ballantine Books issued the first authorized paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings in the United States in edition of The Lord of the Rings in the United States in 1965.1965.

Paperback Publication!Paperback Publication!

Ace SF had jumped the gun and actually published these Ace SF had jumped the gun and actually published these in paperback in the US first – and then withdrew them in paperback in the US first – and then withdrew them when challenged. Now you understand the little “This is when challenged. Now you understand the little “This is the only paperback editions authorized by me” note from the only paperback editions authorized by me” note from Tolkien on the back of the Ballentine version!Tolkien on the back of the Ballentine version!

Ace SF had jumped the gun and actually published these Ace SF had jumped the gun and actually published these in paperback in the US first – and then withdrew them in paperback in the US first – and then withdrew them when challenged. Now you understand the little “This is when challenged. Now you understand the little “This is the only paperback editions authorized by me” note from the only paperback editions authorized by me” note from Tolkien on the back of the Ballentine version!Tolkien on the back of the Ballentine version!

Themes of LOTRsThemes of LOTRs

Tolkien's ethical themes of:Tolkien's ethical themes of:

• heroismheroism• servant-leadershipservant-leadership• virtue - and its dependence upon virtue - and its dependence upon

uncorrupted rural setting.uncorrupted rural setting.(is this actually environmentalism???)(is this actually environmentalism???)

Tolkien's ethical themes of:Tolkien's ethical themes of:

• heroismheroism• servant-leadershipservant-leadership• virtue - and its dependence upon virtue - and its dependence upon

uncorrupted rural setting.uncorrupted rural setting.(is this actually environmentalism???)(is this actually environmentalism???)

Themes of LOTRsThemes of LOTRs

His Political Themes of:His Political Themes of:

• the nature of evilthe nature of evil• nihilism nihilism • and the inescapably corrupting and the inescapably corrupting

influence of power.influence of power.

His Political Themes of:His Political Themes of:

• the nature of evilthe nature of evil• nihilism nihilism • and the inescapably corrupting and the inescapably corrupting

influence of power.influence of power.

What is LOTR all about?What is LOTR all about?

Why college students in the mid 1960’s?

There are many reasons: it didn’t hurt that their values seemed to mirror the counter-culture’s (back to nature) and they were exciting and new, with a view of heroism and love and danger.

(The hobbits propensity to pass the time smoking Pipeweed didn’t hurt, either.)

• Let’s hear Tolkien read us a verse (verse link)• And speaking about middle earth (link)

Publication HistoryPublication History

• The Hobbit, The Hobbit, 1937 1937

• The Fellowship of the RingThe Fellowship of the Ring, 1954 , 1954

• The Two Towers, 1954The Two Towers, 1954

• The Return of the King, 1955The Return of the King, 1955

• (Paperbacks hit the US, 1965)(Paperbacks hit the US, 1965)

• The Silmarillion, 1977The Silmarillion, 1977

• The Lost Tales,The Lost Tales, 1983 1983

• The Children of Hurin, 2007The Children of Hurin, 2007

• The Hobbit, The Hobbit, 1937 1937

• The Fellowship of the RingThe Fellowship of the Ring, 1954 , 1954

• The Two Towers, 1954The Two Towers, 1954

• The Return of the King, 1955The Return of the King, 1955

• (Paperbacks hit the US, 1965)(Paperbacks hit the US, 1965)

• The Silmarillion, 1977The Silmarillion, 1977

• The Lost Tales,The Lost Tales, 1983 1983

• The Children of Hurin, 2007The Children of Hurin, 2007

J.R.R. Tolkien J.R.R. Tolkien

Dies in 1973.Dies in 1973.

At the same time, his stories At the same time, his stories are only building in sales. are only building in sales. Besides the books, a series of Besides the books, a series of games use Tolkien’s Middle games use Tolkien’s Middle Earth as a jumping off point for Earth as a jumping off point for adventure!adventure!

Dies in 1973.Dies in 1973.

At the same time, his stories At the same time, his stories are only building in sales. are only building in sales. Besides the books, a series of Besides the books, a series of games use Tolkien’s Middle games use Tolkien’s Middle Earth as a jumping off point for Earth as a jumping off point for adventure!adventure!

Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons

A huge phenomenon of A huge phenomenon of the 1970’s and 1980’s, the 1970’s and 1980’s, creator Gary Gygax says creator Gary Gygax says he was not influenced by he was not influenced by Tolkien. Tolkien.

Of course, he was forced Of course, he was forced by Ballentine to change by Ballentine to change hobbit to halfling, ent to hobbit to halfling, ent to treant, and balrog to treant, and balrog to Type IV demon … and Type IV demon … and on, and on…on, and on…

A huge phenomenon of A huge phenomenon of the 1970’s and 1980’s, the 1970’s and 1980’s, creator Gary Gygax says creator Gary Gygax says he was not influenced by he was not influenced by Tolkien. Tolkien.

Of course, he was forced Of course, he was forced by Ballentine to change by Ballentine to change hobbit to halfling, ent to hobbit to halfling, ent to treant, and balrog to treant, and balrog to Type IV demon … and Type IV demon … and on, and on…on, and on…

SF & Fantasy FictionSF & Fantasy Fiction

And authors step into And authors step into the market Tolkien the market Tolkien created. created.

Early readers of LOTRs Early readers of LOTRs had NO WHERE to turn had NO WHERE to turn for some years, but by for some years, but by the late 1970’s the flood the late 1970’s the flood began! began!

And authors step into And authors step into the market Tolkien the market Tolkien created. created.

Early readers of LOTRs Early readers of LOTRs had NO WHERE to turn had NO WHERE to turn for some years, but by for some years, but by the late 1970’s the flood the late 1970’s the flood began! began!

SF & Fantasy FictionSF & Fantasy Fiction

““I had read I had read The Lord of The Lord of the Ringsthe Rings two years two years earlier. What if Tolkien's earlier. What if Tolkien's magic and fairy magic and fairy creatures were made creatures were made part of the worlds of part of the worlds of Walter Scott and Walter Scott and Dumas?”Dumas?”

-- Terry Brooks, 1991-- Terry Brooks, 1991

““I had read I had read The Lord of The Lord of the Ringsthe Rings two years two years earlier. What if Tolkien's earlier. What if Tolkien's magic and fairy magic and fairy creatures were made creatures were made part of the worlds of part of the worlds of Walter Scott and Walter Scott and Dumas?”Dumas?”

-- Terry Brooks, 1991-- Terry Brooks, 1991

MusicMusic

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin –

Battle of Evermore (link)Battle of Evermore (link)

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin –

Battle of Evermore (link)Battle of Evermore (link)

Computer games Computer games

The computer gaming The computer gaming industry was only industry was only beginning, but action beginning, but action RPGs on computer, RPGs on computer, arcade games, and arcade games, and text based text based adventures drew from adventures drew from the concept. the concept.

(Today, computer (Today, computer games now garner 10 games now garner 10 times the movie times the movie industry income!)industry income!)

The computer gaming The computer gaming industry was only industry was only beginning, but action beginning, but action RPGs on computer, RPGs on computer, arcade games, and arcade games, and text based text based adventures drew from adventures drew from the concept. the concept.

(Today, computer (Today, computer games now garner 10 games now garner 10 times the movie times the movie industry income!)industry income!)

MoviesMovies

And movies…And movies…

Hollywood finally Hollywood finally caught up with caught up with Tolkien’s Tolkien’s imagination with imagination with the Peter Jackson the Peter Jackson epic version of the epic version of the LOTR. LOTR.

- and made a - and made a BILLION DOLLARS in BILLION DOLLARS in the process!the process!

And movies…And movies…

Hollywood finally Hollywood finally caught up with caught up with Tolkien’s Tolkien’s imagination with imagination with the Peter Jackson the Peter Jackson epic version of the epic version of the LOTR. LOTR.

- and made a - and made a BILLION DOLLARS in BILLION DOLLARS in the process!the process!

MoviesMovies

And while Peter Jackson And while Peter Jackson and New World Features and New World Features have sworn to never work have sworn to never work together again – the cast together again – the cast for the proposed Hobbit for the proposed Hobbit movie say “we’ll only do movie say “we’ll only do it if Jackson is the it if Jackson is the director.”director.”

NWF & PJ are now in talks NWF & PJ are now in talks … via e-mail… via e-mail

And while Peter Jackson And while Peter Jackson and New World Features and New World Features have sworn to never work have sworn to never work together again – the cast together again – the cast for the proposed Hobbit for the proposed Hobbit movie say “we’ll only do movie say “we’ll only do it if Jackson is the it if Jackson is the director.”director.”

NWF & PJ are now in talks NWF & PJ are now in talks … via e-mail… via e-mail

Thoughts to consider tonightThoughts to consider tonight

But for all the dollars produced by this 70 But for all the dollars produced by this 70 year old idea, remember that for year old idea, remember that for Tolkien, it was NEVER about the Tolkien, it was NEVER about the money.money.

His themes of heroic acts and selfless His themes of heroic acts and selfless service were a statement to his fallen service were a statement to his fallen friends, and how power and corruption, friends, and how power and corruption, nihilism and loss hurt the world. nihilism and loss hurt the world.

But for all the dollars produced by this 70 But for all the dollars produced by this 70 year old idea, remember that for year old idea, remember that for Tolkien, it was NEVER about the Tolkien, it was NEVER about the money.money.

His themes of heroic acts and selfless His themes of heroic acts and selfless service were a statement to his fallen service were a statement to his fallen friends, and how power and corruption, friends, and how power and corruption, nihilism and loss hurt the world. nihilism and loss hurt the world.

Your Thoughts?Your Thoughts?

1.1. Did Tolkien meet his goal to inspire Did Tolkien meet his goal to inspire people? people?

2.2. Do the tales from LOTR still inspire?Do the tales from LOTR still inspire?3.3. Does his work have any major themes that Does his work have any major themes that

still speak to us today?still speak to us today?4.4. Did Tolkien make Harry Potter possible?Did Tolkien make Harry Potter possible?5.5. Will Harry Potter inspire people for three Will Harry Potter inspire people for three

generations to come?generations to come?6.6. Can we say Tolkien’s “myths” have created Can we say Tolkien’s “myths” have created

a “new reality?”a “new reality?”

1.1. Did Tolkien meet his goal to inspire Did Tolkien meet his goal to inspire people? people?

2.2. Do the tales from LOTR still inspire?Do the tales from LOTR still inspire?3.3. Does his work have any major themes that Does his work have any major themes that

still speak to us today?still speak to us today?4.4. Did Tolkien make Harry Potter possible?Did Tolkien make Harry Potter possible?5.5. Will Harry Potter inspire people for three Will Harry Potter inspire people for three

generations to come?generations to come?6.6. Can we say Tolkien’s “myths” have created Can we say Tolkien’s “myths” have created

a “new reality?”a “new reality?”