Master of Middle-Earth: The Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien

by Paul H. Kocher, Paul Harold Kocker

Analyzes Tolkien's fiction, focusing on his creativity, themes, and images of a fantasy world

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Literary Criticism, Essays, Reference, Literature, Criticism

247 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Paul Harold Kocher was an American scholar, writer, and professor of English. He wrote extensively on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien as well as on Elizabethan English drama, philosophy, religion, and medicine. His numerous publications include studies of Christopher Marlowe and Francis Bacon. He also authored books on the Franciscan missions of 18th- and 19th-century California.

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tolkien was an ecologist, hater of ‘progress,’ lover of handicrafts, detester of war long before such attitudes became fashionable.”

Extraordinary literary criticism. I wish I read this book forty years ago. (Published in 1972, before many of Tolkien’s extended Middle-Earth stories, like The Silmarillion.) Though I have read most of Tolkien’s canon and many books about him, I gained many insights.

“Probably every writer making a secondary world … hopes that the peculiar qualities of this secondary world (if not all the details) are derived from reality or are flowing into it. The peculiar quality of ‘joy’ in successful Fantasy can thus be explained as a sudden glimpse of the underlying reality or truth.” Tolkien

Kochler explores the story behind the stories of Tolkien. Helpful without being didactic. Many insights into Tolkien’s worldview and the development of his fictional setting. His discussion of Tolkien’s concepts of “glimpses” and “recovery” will aid all readers.

“Anyone who uses coercion in even the best of cause is using an evil means to a good end and thereby corrupting the end—and himself.”

Recommendation: before you read The Hobbit, or There and Back Again or The Lord of the Rings again, read this book and read Tolkien’s’ essay “On Fairy-Stories,” found in The Tolkien Reader. This book is out of print, but available. (For a certain generation a Brothers Hildebrandt cover is de rigueur for Tolkien books, and the original Star Wars poster.)

“Tolkien is not hopeful about our age. The elves have left us, and we have not mourned to see them go.”

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to my bookmark, I was a chapter from finishing this when I finished my essay and never looked at it again. Oops. And, for some reason, I don't recall referencing this book at all, even though actually it would have been useful -- it makes some handy links and the author understood Tolkien's work and aims very well. I think at the time I actually preferred this to Shippey's accounts, which is probably blasphemy in the world of Tolkien mania.

I love that Tolkien never wears thin under investigation, only yields more. I was tempted to reread LotR again straight after I finished my essay, and flicking through this book again makes me really want to do that. Hmm...

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

https://blog.hennethannun.net/2019/11...

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book Of Tolkien commentary that I’ve read in the last year, or at least the second book which digs into the Lord of the Rings in order to understand the epic critically. Unlike Tom Shippey, who’s "Author of the Century" made a foundational criticism from which later Tolkien scholars and fans would begin their defense and validation of the “old professor’s” work, Kocher it seems has not had the same level of success. And I’m not sure why this is.

Kocher’s book is a marvelous companion material to The Lord of the Rings, because of the way the man manages to dig into the material of the novels and try to gleam some lovel of serious critical insight. Rather than look at the inividual books however Kocher looks at elements of the texts dedicating chapters to the various races and organisms, Sauron and the very quality of evil which exists in the novels, the character of Aragorn, and the precursor novel The Hobbit. Each of these chapters provides a general body of material before it digs into the analyses, and it’s to Korcher’s benefit that I never got tired of hours writing.

Unlike some commentary books, where authors become wrapped up and overly immersed in their criticism and analysis, Kocher keeps his writing approachable. Anyone who has read the books, or even just heard of The Lord of the Rings could pick this up and understand his work. For this reason alone Korcher’s text is a valuable addition to Lord of the Ring studies.

I should note that I gave the book four stars however because the last chapter ends on an analysis of the poems associated with Tolkien’s character Niggle rather than another element of the trilogy. The last chapter isn’t terrible, but it distracts from what had been an amazing book up to that time.

Korcher, much like Michael D.C. Drout and Tom Shippey before him gave me a new perspective in which to observe Middle Earth and the characters I’ve spent my entire life immersed in. This book was marvelous.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I wouldn't have thought there was more to say about Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings after Shippey's structural analysis and Stratford Caldecott's brilliant essay, "Over the Chasm of Fire". But the measure of a great work of art is how many facets it has. Mr. Kocher writes clearly and respectfully, and his analysis opened my eyes to aspects I hadn't considered before. I hadn't been aware of "Imram" or some of Tolkien's other short poems, for example. And Kocher's analysis of Aragorn and his role in the story is masterful--so much so that I wondered if Viggo Mortensen had read this chapter before taking on the role. There's also intelligent discussion of Eowyn and Arwen, of the races of Middle Earth, of free will, and much more. If you love Tolkien's world and have any taste for literary criticism, you will enjoy this book.

[Regitze Xenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the conclusions in this book are so weird and evidently wrong, perhaps due to the early date of the book. Still, some of the author's thoughts and perspectives were quite interesting and I'll most likely use them.

[Matthijs Krul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although published before The Silmarillion and the materials collected in Unfinished Tales and the History of Middle Earth became available, it is a testament to his excellent critical analysis of major themes and characters in Tolkien's lifetime published work that Paul Kocher's book even now remains one of the best secondary monographs on Tolkien available.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kocher is clearly a big Tolkien fan. Quite adorable how much he gushes over every story the fantasy author has ever written. This book provides a good general analysis of Tolkien's oeuvre, in order to understand the why and how of the long list of LotR-related stories, before and after the trilogy, and the overall literary value of those stories. The only remark I would have is that I wished some of the analyses were a bit more thorough. It seems as if Kocher barely scratches the surface. But maybe the reason for that lies more in the inexhaustible source that is Tolkien's writing and less in Kocher's capability as a literary critic.

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published before the Silmarillion, which made for interesting reading, as I've read the Silmarillion a few times and know a fair bit about Middle-Earth. There were some suppositions and guesses in this book that have since been answered, both by the publication of the Silmarillion and by others. I did enjoy this very much though.

I particularly liked the chapter on Aragorn, which presented a way of looking at his character in a way that I've never imagined. The fact is that he is the 'hero' character and would most likely have been the main character had this been written by any other author. The analysis of his character in this volume digs beneath the superficial presentation of a good man who is doing his best to fulfill his destiny and win the hand of Arwen. There are many interesting aspects to his character that I've never considered - such as feelings of frustration, desire, ambition. I've always seen him as wise and patient and, essentially, passive. The analysis of his discussion of Narsil/Anduril and his position with Boromir during the council is also well worth reading and will colour my next reading of it (Sadly, I'm already at the end of book 3, about to look into the palantir with Pippin in my current reading).

The final chapter, Seven leaves, was very interesting for the simple reason that I've never considered much of Tolkien's other writing in relation to his writings on Middle Earth. It's very interesting to see the familiar imagery and parallels that pervade his other writings.

Even though this is old and in some places out-dated, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in Tolkien's work.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although first published several years before The Silmarillion, in that vasty deep time when so many of our questions remained unanswered, Master of Middle-earth remains one of my favorite critical studies of Tolkien. Kocher's chapter-long character study of Aragorn is particularly brilliant:

"This is the ambitious, weary, and apprehensive prince who impatiently watches the foolish antics of the hobbits under the suspicious eyes of the crowd at the inn. To his mind the hobbits badly need taking in hand, as children who are playing games with the fate of Middle-earth....He does not make the mistake of being ingratiating; on the contrary, he starts out with a shock tactic. Because of the debacle in the common room he treats them like the children they have shown themselves to be, and proposes to give them unspecified valuable information in exchange for the 'reward' of being allowed to accompany them. The proposal is meant to be indignantly refused and when it is, Aragorn applauds." (p. 133)

[First read in February 1973 and several times since.]

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting analysis of the mindset of Tolkien in writing the Lord of the Rings. It clearly points out how an author's worldview affects his writing. In particular, Tolkien's views of morality, the freedom of choice and the nature of evil are expressed in his work. The book explores the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, as well as his poetry and shorter tales. Sauron's evil is seen in his desire that all who come under his domination do his bidding against their wills. For this reason, Tolkien emphasizes that the members of the Fellowship must freely choose their actions. Major chapters are on the Hobbit, Tolkien's view of the cosmic order, Sauron and the nature of evil, the free peoples, and Aragorn. The book is well worth reading to gain a perspective on Tolkien's writing.

[Erika Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first introduction to literary criticism, rather young, and a painless one that taught me a great deal about literature in general. I'm rereading it now to shake loose some thoughts about writing fiction.

[Ron Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very old - it predates the publication of The Silmarillion - but still very well worth reading. Lots of interesting insights, especially on some of Tolkien's shorter works that are not often much talked about.

[Norbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, if you consider it was written well before Silmarillon or Letters were published.
Most of the analyses are great (such the one about Aragorn) but there are some mistakes, usually becouse of the few data avaible in 1973. In 1973 I would have given a full 5 stars

[Mark Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Execellent collection of essays on the works of JRR Tolkien, first published on the early 1970s. I found the chapter on Aragorn to be the best of the lot, and worth the price of the book.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More readable than the Silmarillion. Well done and informative.

[Ruben Mes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly beautiful, yet cut off at its greatness.

Long before Peter Jackson's famous trilogy, people were already raving about Tolkien's work. Take Kocher for example, who went about it clear-sighted and tactfully.

For me, as hardcore fan and avid Tolkien fan, Kocher's reflections on the Lord of the Rings were impeccable, such as the nature of evil, and the subtle religious undertones conveyed by the spiritual providence that characters seem to intuit and live by.

However, right at the peak of this work, the author transitions to Tolkien's smaller works, which I don't outright detest, but do resent if it meant making way for more meat on the menu on his masterpiece. My criticism is that it's simply too short! And, although my interest is woken for The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, and appreciation was kindled for Leaf and Smith of Wootton Major in alluding to the tension field between Faery realm and man's, my passion remains the mythology of the epic, and this book covers that too little in my personal view.

Despite delivering many insights, I simply wish for more, and this book does not by any stretch of the imagination represent the definitive go-to for literary analysis of his life's work, it does however, tie together the various themes of his life and compares it to his publications, in an attempt to display how Tolkien thought about morality and religion, besides demonstrating his passion for Norse/Old English sagas and philology.

An enlightening read, though too short/incomplete to feel satisfying.

Highly recommended to writers, storytellers and fans of the spiritual aspects and meaning of the Lord of the Rings.

[Steve Chisnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best of several books of LotR criticism I have read: Kocher is approachable, admiring of Tolkien, and expansively thoughtful about the larger-scale themes the master of linguistics and storytelling as undertaken.

Always cementing his observations with structure, example, and pattern directly from the texts, Kocher demonstrate and moral and cosmic order to Tolkien's universe, reflecting on the roles of its denizens through their own parturition, fates, and philosophies. Is the storyline pre-ordained? Is chance involved or does a "divine" hand guide? What roles for fealty and friendship? What for mercy and environment? How, exactly, do we understand evil in a universe without religion?

These are just a few of the questions Kocher addresses as he examines each of the realms races, the complexity of Aragorn (a terrific chapter), and the value or lack thereof in presuming simple allegory from Tolkien's lifework. At the work's close, Kocher looks closely at seven other writings of Tolkien to reveal their connections to the central LotR, as well.

There is a ton of Tolkien writing out there, but Kocher's, written way back in 1972, will stay on my shelf.

[James Ashcroft · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a striking prescience to much of Kocher’s analysis here given his book’s publication years before The Silmarillion reached print. In that respect, I found it particularly interesting to read a book written by someone who could only speculate on matters on which Christopher Tolkien and other scholars have since shed so much light.

The first half of the book, however, is much stronger and of greater interest than the second in my opinion. The chapter on Aragorn is not without interesting ideas, but it’s too long. I also felt that Kocher failed to sufficiently clearly present what he was trying to do with the book as a whole given that the final chapter seemed to be seven sub-chapters discussing other unconnected works of Tolkien’s that the author found interesting. This contributed to a feeling of the book fizzling out without a conclusion to tie it all together. Much of these final reflections also amounted to more précis than thought-provoking analysis.

An interesting book to have read, and certainly limited by access to far scarcer source materials than scholars nowadays have access to, but far surpassed by other scholars’ work on Tolkien’s Legendarium.

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up until the very last chapter I was completely taken by this book.

I don't typically read literary critisism but, because I've become a little obsessed with Middle Earth recently, I absolutely ploughed through this one. The chapters on Aragorn and how fate/choice is approached in LOTR were highlights and I'll go back and read those a few times I'd imagine.

Sadly there were a couple of times Hocher lost me. Never on times where The Silmarillion contradicted his opinions (actually those I found extremely interesting!!) but the last chapter on how the various poetry linked into Middle Earth fell a little flat to me. As was his clear dismissal of The Hobbit as a children's novel. The latter was mainly disappointing because I wished aspects of it had been included in other, relevant, chapters.

Overall though a solid 4.5 out of 5.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 1977 paperback edition of a 1972 book, one of the earlier works on Tolkien from an academic point of view. An entertaining read though I gather rather dated in the face of multiple volumes since written on Tolkien, Middle Earth, etc. I enjoyed most of it, as with many academic volumes it sometimes seemed to go on too long but that's true of much that has been written about the subject by both fans and academics. This has earned a place on the shelves with LOTR, The Hobbit, and the Silmarion, etc. - but I don't feel driven either to search for the books the author referenced or for the books since written to explain how wrong the author was in this book. If you are doing serious work on the subject, this needs to be in your bibliography at the least.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had many interesting themes, but overall, it just made me want to read The Lord of the Rings again. The chapter on Aragorn good, painting him as the hero, literally giving up his love and his life for all other races. Parts of the section on the good races made interesting points. The discussion of Leaf, By Niggle was the best of the seven summaries of other works by Tolkien.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and helpful commentary, which loses nothing in scholarly depth for its accessibility. Kocher clearly loves his subject, and his reflections are clearly those of one whose primary reason for writing is admiration. Moreover, his insights reach a level of strong canonical consistency that is astonishing, considering that he writes prior to the publication of The Silmarillion.

[Amaia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Algunas de sus reflexiones son muy interesantes y me ha hecho caer en detalles que me habían pasado desapercibidos cuando leí "El señor de los anillos", pero no puedo decir que me haya entusiasmado.

Recomendable para fans de Tolkien.

[Pwl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a run of the mill overview of the over examined genre

[George Eraclides · Rating 4 out of 5]

The finest discussion of the works of Tolkien up to 1973 when this book was published. Very well written, insightful and a tribute to scholarship.

[Richard Kings · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun compendium but I skipped whole chapters and didn't learn that much from it

[Emily B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always think about this book when I get into thinking about what it means to be a good person.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of essays for the thoughtful LOTR fan.

[Maarten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly accurate since this was written before the Silmarillion was published.