The Thought of J.R.R. Tolkien

Catalog description

This is a study of the contributions to philosophy and Christian thought in the writing of J.R R. Tolkien. The course will examine the implicit power of story in the major and minor works of J.R.R. Tolkien. In addition to exploring themes of identity, heroism, good and evil, and other moral virtues in Tolkien's mythical and short story writings, we will consider the influences of Tolkien's mythology and historical fiction in popular culture. While there will be some literary analysis throughout the course, most of the seminar will discuss the influence of mythology (i.e., the concept of eucatastrophe and sub-creation in fairy stories [i.e., fantasy], and the implicit power of language, virtue and free-will behind the worldview of Middle-earth).