The World of the Rings: Language, Religion, and Adventure in Tolkien

by Jared Lobdell

Jared Lobdell examines Tolkien's methods and his worldview by following the thread of three influences: 1. the Edwardian adventure story; 2. the science of philology, or comparative languages; and 3. Roman Catholic theology. The "Edwardian mode" of adventure story (King Solomon's Mines, The Lost World) is one in which a small group of Englishmen make an expedition to foreign parts and find supernatural terrors awaiting them, finally returning home, mission accomplished. The architecture and narrative style of these adventure stories is followed completely in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's towering erudition in ancient Germanic and Celtic languages helps to explain his successful use of a mixture of period styles in his story-telling, as well as his amazing facility coining memorable names. Although Tolkien's stories betray a strong Christian conception of virtue and suffering, his Catholic background raises difficult problems for understanding the tales, with their heroes who are basically irreligious. Are these stories before the Fall of Man, or is there some other explaination for the absense of Christ? Lobdell pursues many subtle clues to arrive at a balanced answer.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough read, definitely doesn't dumb it down for his readers. Probably want to have a professorship if you are going to tackle this one.

[Laurel Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lobdell’s analysis of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings is quirky but provocative. The first half makes more sense than the second.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked the book up I thought it was a fan book about New Zealand or the movies. Instead I got a book of literary criticism discussing J.R.R. Tolkien's book. The author compared it to other Edwardian adventure stories and discuss Tolkien's use of North and South, and East and West. It was very interesting. Part of the reason I like it so much was because I got many of the references he made to other books because I have read them myself.