Middle-earth and beyond : essays on the world of J. R. R. Tolkien

One wonders whether there really is a need for another volume of essays on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Clearly there is. Especially when the volume takes new directions, employs new approaches, focuses on different texts, or reviews and then challenges received wisdom. This volume intends to do all that. The entries on sources and analogues in The Lord of the Rings, a favorite topic, are still able to take new directions. The analyses of Tolkien s literary art, less common in Tolkien criticism, focus on character especially that of Tom Bombadil in which two different conclusions are reached. But characterization is also seen in the light of different literary techniques, motifs, and symbols. A unique contribution examines the place of linguistics in Tolkien s literary art, employing Gricean concepts in an analysis of The Lay of the Children of Húrin. And a quite timely essay presents a new interpretation of Tolkien s attitude toward the environment, especially in the character of Tom Bombadil. In sum, this volume covers new ground, and treads some well-worn paths; but here the well-worn path takes a new turn, taking not only scholars but general readers further into the complex and provocative world of Middle-earth, and beyond. One wonders whether there really is a need for another volume of essays on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Clearly there is. Especially when the volume takes new directions, employs new approaches, focuses on different texts, or reviews and then challenges received wisdom. This volume intends to do all that. The entries on sources and analogues in "The Lord of the Rings", a favorite topic, are still able to take new directions. The analyses of Tolkien's literary art, less common in Tolkien criticism, focus on character - especially that of Tom Bombadil - in which two different conclusions are reached. But characterization is also seen in the light of different literary techniques, motifs, and symbols. A unique contribution examines the place of linguistics in Tolkien's literary art, employing Gricean concepts in an analysis of "The Lay of the Children of Hurin". And a quite timely essay presents a new interpretation of Tolkien's attitude toward the environment, especially in the character of Tom Bombadil. In sum, this volume covers new ground, and treads some well-worn paths; but here the well-worn path takes a new turn, taking not only scholars but general readers further into the complex and provocative world of Middle-earth, and beyond One wonders whether there really is a need for another volume of essays on the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Clearly there is. Especially when the volume takes new directions, employs new approaches, focuses on different texts, or reviews and then challenges received wisdom. This volume intends to do all that. The entries on sources and analogues in The Lord of the Rings, a favorite topic, are still able to take new directions. The analyses of Tolkien's literary art, less common in Tolkien criticism, focus on character-especially that of Tom Bombadil-in which two different conclusions are reached. But characterization is also seen in the light of different literary techniques, motifs, and symbols. A unique contribution examines the place of linguistics in Tolkien's literary art, employing Gricean concepts in an analysis of The Lay of the Children of Hurin. And a quite timely essay presents a new interpretation of Tolkien's attitude toward the environment, especially in the character of Tom Bombadil. In sum, this volume covers new ground, and treads some well-worn paths; but here the well-worn path takes a new turn, taking not only scholars but general readers further into the complex and provocative world of Middle-earth, and beyond. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION SOURCING TOLKIEN’S CIRCLES OF THE WORLD STAYING HOME AND TRAVELLING THE ENIGMATIC MR. BOMBADIL TOM BOMBADIL – MAN OF MYSTERY GROTESQUE CHARACTERS IN TOLKIEN’S NOVELS THE HOBBIT AND THE LORD OF THE RINGS “IT SNOWED FOOD AND RAINED DRINK” IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS “NO LAUGHING MATTER” “LIT.”, “LANG.”, “LING.”, AND THE COMPANY THEY KEEP CONTRIBUTORS Edited By Kathleen Dubs And Janka Kaščáková Includes Bibliographical References.